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Marlene Eick: The Secret to Creating a Stronger Culture in Agribusiness
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In this powerful and refreshing episode, Mark Jewell sits down with longtime friend and leadership expert Marlene Eick, Senior Director of Leadership Development at the Ohio Farm Bureau. Together, they explore what it really takes to build strong, healthy teams—and why intentional leadership starts with creating space for honest conversations, personal growth, and shared ownership.
From building culture with a brand-new team to navigating transition seasons, Marlene shares real-world wisdom about leadership challenges, emotional intelligence at work, and how leaders can balance being human without becoming everyone’s therapist. This conversation goes deep into practical leadership—and also offers fresh encouragement for anyone feeling the weight of leadership today.
Whether you're leading a team of 2 or 200, this episode is packed with personal insight, practical takeaways, and honest reflection that every agribusiness leader needs to hear.
Key Takeaways:
🌾 Intentional Leadership Starts with Space
You can’t lead well with your head down. Great leaders schedule time to look up, assess, and recalibrate.
🧠 Leading Requires Emotional Awareness
Being present for your team’s challenges doesn't mean solving all their problems. It means creating a safe space—and knowing when to lead and when to listen.
🌟 New Teams Take Time
Culture-building isn’t instant. It requires vulnerability, trust, and a willingness to go through the forming, storming, norming, and performing phases—every time a new person joins.
⚡ Optional vs. Required Storms
Intentional leaders proactively create growth opportunities before chaos forces change. Growth always demands some turbulence—choose to lead through it rather than avoid it.
❤️ Leading with Heart (Without Losing Your Edge)
Relationships matter. Leaders who prioritize connection, support, and clear expectations help people thrive personally and professionally.
🌱 Personal Growth Fuels Professional Growth
Transitions are hard—and they’re supposed to be. The biggest wins often come on the other side of the biggest challenges.
Notable Quotes:
"Leadership is not just crossing tasks off a list. It’s making sure we lift our heads up and look at the bigger picture." – Marlene Eick
"You can either curate storms for growth—or wait for crisis to bring the storm to your doorstep." – Mark Jewell
"People don't need you to fix everything. They need to know you see them—and that you’re in it with them." – Marlene Eick
"Everybody can have a say, but at the end of the day, there’s only one vote." – Mark Jewell
"Strong teams don’t form without intentional time, vulnerability, and some inevitable bumps along the way." – Marlene Eick
🎯 Action Steps:
- ✅ Schedule Reflection Time – Block out regular time to step back from task mode and think strategically about your team and goals.
- ✅ Create Safe Spaces – Build a culture where people can be honest without fear of judgment.
- ✅ Be Human, Not a Fixer – Learn to hold space for people’s challenges without overstepping your role as a leader.
- ✅ Lead Through the Storms – Don’t avoid conflict or growth moments; use them intentionally to strengthen your team.
- ✅ Invest in Leadership Development – Programs like Ohio Farm Bureau's AgriPOWER can transform emerging leaders into influential forces in agriculture.
🚀 Special Shoutout:
Marlene highlighted AgriPOWER, a 12-month leadership development academy designed for Ohio agriculture’s rising leaders. Applications open soon—reach out to Marlene or visit OFBF.org to learn more!
🎧 Listen If You Are:
- Leading a team in agribusiness or a membership organization
- Facing transitions or new team dynamics
- Seeking better ways to balance relationships and results as a leader
- Ready to move from reactive management to proactive leadership
- Interested in growing as a leader—personally and professionally
"Leadership isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present, being real, and creating spaces where people—and results—can thrive."
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