Harvesting Insights: A look at technology and leadership in precision agriculture

Season 5, Episode 1

This episode features Deanna Kovar, President, Worldwide Agriculture & Turf Division: Small Agriculture & Turf Care, Europe, Africa, and Asia, Deere & Company. Kovar is also a Leading Women Executives Fellow, Spring 2017. This conversation explores the history and evolution of technology and innovation in Deere and Company and shares insights into precision agriculture and how it impacts all of us. Kovar also shares meaningful leadership lessons learned and the necessary adjustments on how to better lead in our rapidly changing world of technology.

Discussion Questions:

We encourage you to connect with your peer board, team or colleagues to discuss the podcast. Please use the following questions to guide your conversation:

 How are you taking steps to grow your leadership capabilities through understanding technology?

  1. What is something you’d like to do differently at your organization in how you use data to make leadership decisions or recommendations?
  2. When is a moment where a seeming failure turned into an important opportunity?

  3. What is an example where you might adjust how you ask the questions rather than provide the answer to your teams?

  4. What is a priority in how you would like to grow your own network this year?

Highlights:

  • About precision agriculture [10:34]
  • Autonomous tractors and leveraging technology [14:42]
  • Innovation at the core of Deere and Company [20:14]
  • Leading with tech-savvy innovation [26:15]
  • Data skills necessary in leadership [29:25]
  • Being intentional in building your network [37:40]
  • Learning not failing [40:26]