Understanding leadership and conflict

TOMORROW'S LEADERS: The Federation's advocacy, influence and outcomes workshop in Wellington generated plenty of debate over the two days.

Federated Farmers recently hosted an Advocacy, Influence and Outcomes workshop in Wellington with an array of interested participants including a federation board member, a provincial president, industry chairs, farmers, and councillors at the two day course.

The main theme involved developing collaborative skills towards issues affecting farming and rural communities, with a particular onus on how to best achieve community values for rivers.

Three presenters-Gay Pavelka, Michelle Shields and Ian Whitehouse led the twelve participants through seven modules which included written exercises with the opportunity to role play and demonstrate the new found skills they had learned.

This invoked some heated discussion and many laughs throughout the two days as former strangers built trust and kinship once it was established they all shared the same trials and aspirations.

Managing conflict through negotiating was a common denominator and kept the workshop on their toes as they learned that sometimes the best form of communication is to actually listen to the opposing view, regardless of how polarised they may be.

There was also an insightful session on the pitfalls of analysing technical data around water quality and how to identify and question the credibility, whether it was scientific or verifiable.

It all made for an entertaining climax to the two days when the groups were split up into four teams taking part in a filmed mock enactment of a council meeting, where they were tasked with presenting their respective organisation's stance.

Having farmers acting as Fish & Game representatives was especially intriguing as it fostered some introspection for the groups involved demonstrating the importance of strategic thinking and advocacy.

There were a few weary eyes come the end of the course, but also plenty of smiles and firm handshakes after the video session and analysis wound down.

Wairarapa meat and fibre chair, William Beetham, was glad he had done the course.

"The content and tools we learned was awesome. It will be incredibly useful for going forward," he said.

Tararua councillor Tracey Collis said she would take away effective methods that would improve her communication skills.

"As an elected councillor I want to be the best I can be-and this will help," she said.

Mrs Collis, an organic farmer, said the course was an eye opener on other levels.

"I came here with a councillor outlook but in actual fact these tools can be applied to everyday life such as being a wife, a mother, and everything else."

Hawke's Bay dairy chairperson, Nick Dawson, confided that he missed the farm and was prone to "thinking about his cows" but overall he enjoyed the time off farm saying the role play exercises were the most enjoyable.

"I've certainly gained more confidence," he said.

If you would like to find out more about the workshop contact Jeremy Blandford, general manager sales and marketing, 044702164 021438321 or email jblandford@fedfarm.org.nz.