Our fourth seminar as part of VALOR Class VII took us to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.
Each seminar in the program seems to carry its own unique theme, and this one centered on the concept of “finding your why.”
We kicked things off before we left by listening to Simon Sinek’s Start with Why – How Great Leaders Inspire Action, which laid a strong foundation for the rest of our experience. Sinek explains that while many people know what they do and how they do it, the most impactful leaders start with why—their purpose.
Throughout our time in the Valley, we examined the deeper motivations behind the people we met and the places we visited—what drives them, fuels them, and defines them as agricultural leaders.
Your “why” is your driving force. It’s the reason you get out of bed in the morning and push forward when the work gets tough, or the rewards seem far away. In agriculture, these motivations can be different for everyone. Maybe your purpose is to continue a family legacy, feed your community, or be a steward of the land and preserve it for generations to come. When your work is rooted in meaning, it becomes more fulfilling—and you’re more likely to stay motivated and resilient through challenges.
For me, this seminar was an invitation to pause and reflect. To ask the tough questions. Why do I do what I do? What truly matters most? I realized there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—but taking time to reflect on your values and clarify your priorities is essential.
valeadersor.com 