Small shifts for big gains

Running a modern livestock and arable farming business demands more than managing animals and crops. It requires clear thinking, effective leadership and the ability to adapt in a fast-changing environment.

While major breakthroughs or big investments often grab the headlines, it’s the small, consistent changes that quietly drive sustainable progress on farm.

More farmers are shifting focus from doing more to doing better. At this year’s AgriLeader Forum, these ideas were brought to life through expert speakers and peer discussions. Six months on, they’re still making a difference on farms across the country.

Here are three practical principles from the event you can use to strengthen your leadership, teams and businesses.

1. Start small, stay consistent

Success doesn’t need to begin with a big shift. Research from both business and sport shows that micro-habits – small actions done regularly – build stronger foundations than occasional bursts of effort.

Simple actions like getting up 10 minutes earlier to review priorities, jotting down what’s gone well each day or scheduling a short weekly check-in with the team can have lasting impact. Over time, these habits improve clarity, reduce firefighting and create space for longer-term thinking.

Mindset coach Kat Thorne introduced this concept at the Forum, encouraging farmers to focus on “tiny shifts that build momentum”. Her advice: forget the overhaul – what matters is showing up consistently and building small wins.

2. Lead through others

Livestock and arable farmers often wear multiple hats – from employer and parent to problem-solver and fixer. But effective leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself. It’s about creating the conditions for others to step up and succeed.

The concept of “followship” – where leadership is earned through trust, not control – is increasingly relevant on family farms and with small teams. That might look like:

• Involving staff in planning or decision-making
• Offering regular feedback and encouragement
• Delegating responsibilities with clear expectations

Leadership specialist Gemma Krasucka, who works with elite sports teams, shared at the Forum how culture and communication shape performance. Her takeaway: “Great leaders create space for others to succeed – and that multiplies their impact.”

On farm, this can lead to better team morale, smoother day-to-day operations and greater business confidence overall.

3. Work smarter, not harder

In farming, long hours and hard graft are part of the culture. But many performance coaches now warn against the idea that more is always better. In fact, striving for 80% consistency often delivers more sustainable results than chasing 100% perfection.

This means knowing where your time is most valuable and where better systems or support can lighten the load.

Practical steps include:

• Automating or streamlining repetitive jobs
• Setting realistic working hours to allow rest and recovery
• Creating boundaries around evenings and weekends where possible

High-performance coach Anna Mosley encourages farmers to view rest not as weakness but as a strategic resource. Taking care of energy levels enables sharper thinking, better decision-making and long-term resilience.

Real-world impact

Mike Morley, a livestock and arable farmer from the south of England, was one of the many delegates who embraced the challenges outlined at the AgriLeader Forum and reflects on how much has changed in just a few months.

“The journey has been good. I’ve recently taken the plunge on a business venture I’ve been putting off, alongside expanding a diversified business with my wife.

“I’ve also just employed an 18-year-old on the farm and changing my mindset to train and support him has been challenging but rewarding.

“Arable still feels tough at the moment, but the livestock side is doing well, and we’re making enough to maintain our lifestyle – so no complaints.”

Reflecting on progress

Mike has identified ambition, family, pride and adapting to the ever-changing cost of living as his motivations. He highlighted lifestyle and innovation as core goals, with challenges like mindset shifts, staff development and economic unpredictability lying ahead.

But it’s the mindset shift that stands out. As Mike said, “accept what you can’t change” – a timely reminder that resilience, reflection and community are often the most powerful tools in a farmer’s toolkit.

Looking ahead

For Mike, the past six months have been about realigning goals, trying new approaches and staying grounded. Whether it's through diversification, hiring, re-evaluating leadership style or simply taking better care of wellbeing, progress is being made in steady, intentional steps.

AgriLeader continues to support farmers on this journey. It’s not a finish line, it’s a starting point. A catalyst for change, a place to connect and a reminder that even small shifts can bring big gains.