John Godbehere: From Helicopters to Agronomy

The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast

In this episode, Mark Jewell sits down with John Godbehere, President of Teleos Ag Solutions and a retired Navy helicopter pilot, to explore the principles of intentional leadership. John shares how his 23 years in the military shaped his leadership philosophy and how he's applied those lessons to his new role in agribusiness. Learn about the power of deliberate decision-making, building team cohesion, and empowering others to lead.

Key Takeaways:

• Defining Intentional Leadership:
• John emphasizes being deliberate—acting on purpose and eliminating ambiguity to foster clear and effective communication within a team.
• The DAM Class Framework for Leadership:
• Borrowed from Navy aviation, this framework provides actionable principles to improve safety, reduce errors, and enhance performance:

1. Decision-Making – Be decisive and proactive.
2. Assertiveness – Speak up when necessary, regardless of rank or role.
3. Mission Analysis – Ensure everyone understands the goal and stays focused.
4. Communication – Maintain clarity up and down the chain of command.
5. Leadership – Everyone has the potential to lead; foster that in your team.
6. Adaptability/Flexibility – Stay agile in the face of challenges.
7. Situational Awareness – Always be aware of the environment and context.

• Empowering Teams Through Delegation:
• Effective leadership involves trusting team members to make decisions at the appropriate level, fostering accountability and buy-in.
• Facing and Overcoming Challenges:
• John discusses his personal battle with fear of failure and the importance of being prepared, self-aware, and reliant on a strong team to mitigate risks.
• Applying Military Lessons to Business:
• John brings operational risk management from the Navy to Teleos, emphasizing a structured approach to identifying and mitigating risks while driving organizational growth.

Notable Quotes:

• "The worst thing you can do is not make a decision. Failure can teach us; indecision cannot." – John Godbehere
• "Being intentional means being deliberate, clear, and purposeful in everything you do." – John Godbehere
• "Empowering your team means giving them the tools, trust, and autonomy to make decisions." – John Godbehere
• "All leaders have a moral obligation to create environments where their people can thrive." – Mark Jewell

Practical Applications:

1. Adopt the DAM Class Framework:

• Use the Navy-inspired framework to enhance team communication, adaptability, and leadership skills.

1. Embrace Vulnerability Through Risk Management:

• Implement a structured process to assess and manage risks, enabling growth and innovation in your organization.

1. Invest in Team Building:

• Focus on creating a shared mission and empowering team members to take ownership of their roles.

1. Define and Communicate Goals Clearly:

• Eliminate ambiguity by ensuring everyone understands the mission and their contribution to its success.

"Intentionality is about making deliberate decisions that lead to growth—not just for yourself, but for your team and organization."