Jason Minton: Empowering Leadership in Small Teams

The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast

In this episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, host Mark Jewell engages in a deep and dynamic conversation with Jason Minton, a leader at Taranis. With a background in both large corporations and small, innovative startups, Jason shares his unique perspective on intentional leadership, coaching, and fostering empowerment within teams. This episode is packed with actionable insights on balancing work and life, creating meaningful connections, and leading with purpose.

Jason Minton is a seasoned leader with experience in large corporations like Bayer and smaller, innovative companies like Taranis. He’s passionate about fostering coaching cultures, empowering teams, and aligning work with purpose. Jason balances his professional life with personal growth activities, such as leading a men’s group and practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Key Takeaways:

• The Essence of Intentional Leadership:
• Focus on understanding and supporting those around you.
• Prioritize growth—your own and others’—to create a ripple effect of development and success.
• Empowering Teams:
• Empowerment involves autonomy, accountability, and consistent coaching.
• Recognize and reward good decisions while addressing mistakes constructively.
• Connect team members to the purpose and impact of their work to foster engagement and motivation.
• Navigating Cultural Integration in Mergers:
• Unify teams early by focusing on shared goals and purpose.
• Understand what’s important to all parties involved to create a cohesive culture.
• Avoid delays in alignment to minimize conflicts and maximize collaboration.
• Balancing Work and Life:
• Leaders must model healthy work habits, as employees mimic behaviors they observe.
• Establish clear boundaries and prioritize meaningful work-life integration.
• Creating Space for Reflection and Growth:
• Intentional time-blocking for strategic work, one-on-one meetings, and personal development is essential.
• Leaders should maintain consistent developmental coaching sessions with their teams.

Notable Quotes:

• “Empowering others means giving them the autonomy to make decisions, even mistakes, and trusting them to grow through the process.” – Jason Minton
• “We often overestimate what we can accomplish in a day, but underestimate what we can achieve in a month or year.” – Mark Jewell
• “Aligning teams around a North Star—your vision, mission, and values—keeps everyone grounded and motivated.” – Mark Jewell
• “Leadership is about connecting people to the purpose of their work and helping them see the difference they’re making.” – Jason Minton

Actionable Insights for Leaders:

• Celebrate Wins: Identify people you can share successes with, not just challenges.
• Coaching as a Priority: Block time for one-on-one development discussions and make them non-negotiable.
• North Star Alignment: Start meetings by revisiting your vision, mission, and values to keep teams focused on what truly matters.
• Hobbies for Refreshment: Engage in activities that allow you to recharge and bring a fresh perspective to your leadership.

It’s your time to #thrivetoday.