Hereâs the truth most leaders wonât say out loud:
Youâre already running out of time.
Not time in the yearâbut time to lead differently before 2025 becomes another blur of meetings, fires, and âmaybe next quarters.â
We hear it from food industry leaders all the time:
âWe meant to shift the culture this year⌠but we got caught up in the day-to-day.â
The pace of this industry doesnât slow down. But leadership is a choice you make in momentsânot quarters. And this season? Â It might be your las...
Weâve all been there.
You attend a webinar.
You journal in the morning.
You have the 1:1s. You check the box.
But if you're being honest⌠you're still leading the same way you always have. This is autopilot leadership. And the cost? Itâs deeper than we realize.
Â
What Is Autopilot Leadership?
Autopilot leadership happens when we think weâre doing the work of leadershipâbut weâre just going through the motions.
It sounds like:
- âIâm already a good listener.â
- âI went to that training last y...
Youâve read the values.
Youâve held the meetings.
Youâve sent the memo.
And yetâthings still feel stuck. The culture isnât shifting the way you hoped.
If thatâs familiar, youâre not alone. Many food industry leaders are pushing hard to improve safety, quality, and collaboration. But the results arenât matching the effort. So whatâs missing?
Â
The Core Truth: Culture Doesnât Change Unless Leaders Do
Culture is builtâquietly and consistentlyâthrough daily behavior. That means when we want to ...
We all know food safety matters. But knowing isnât the issue. The issue is how we lead.
Across the food industry, leaders are doubling down on protocols, procedures, and auditsâyet food safety culture still struggles to move forward. Why?
Because weâre focusing on compliance, not commitment.
Compliance is about rules, checklists, and documentation. Necessary? Yes. Sufficient? Absolutely not.
Commitment is different. Itâs personal. Itâs what drives someone to speak up when they see something o...
Weâre still riding the energy wave from Catalystâs Leadership Summitâand weâve got stories to share! On this weekâs Real Talk with Jill & Tia, weâre giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to bring the event to life, plus the powerful insights and takeaways that emerged. From standout sessions to unexpected moments, weâll share what we heard, what we learned, and what surprised us most. Youâll also get a peek at participant feedback and whatâs next on the horizon for Catalyst. Whethe...
Weâre thrilled to welcome Dr. Angela Anandappa, CEO of the Alliance for Advanced Sanitation, to the show! With over two decades of experience in the food industry and a Ph.D. in Food Microbiology, Angela has built a remarkable career solving complex challenges in food safety, quality, and innovation. In this episode, Angela will share her journey from researcher to leader, offering insights into how evolving leadership skills are essential for driving meaningful success in todayâs ever-changing ...
In this episode of Real Talk with Jill & Tia, weâre exposing The Most Disturbing Mistakes Leaders Make When Promoting People đ¨. From choosing the wrong criteria to overlooking potential, these mistakes can have a major impact on team morale, performance, and culture. Join us to explore the hidden pitfalls leaders often fall into and learn how to elevate your promotion practices to set your team up for success. đđĽ Donât miss this conversation packed with insights and actionable tips to level up y...
Join us on Real Talk with Jill & Tia as we dive into the topic of Questionable Judgment đđŚ. From quick decisions in high-pressure situations to the long-term impact of questionable calls, this episode explores how lapses in judgment can disrupt teams and erode trust. Weâll discuss why these missteps matter, and more importantly, how to rebound and recalibrate after they happen.
If youâre a leader, manager, or team member navigating complex decisions, you wonât want to miss these insights on gr...
Join us this week for an eye-opening episode of Real Talk with Jill & Tia, where weâre diving deep into the art of persuasion with our special guest, Bryan Armentrout. đď¸â¨
Persuasion isnât just about influencing othersâitâs about building relationships, driving change, and communicating value effectively in the food industry. Whether youâre presenting food safety data, negotiating with suppliers, or motivating your team, mastering these skills is essential for success. Donât miss out on this m...
đ Ready to take your growth to the next level? In our upcoming "Real Talk with Jill & Tia," we're diving into the essentials with Three Tips to Accelerate Your Growth! đą Whether youâre looking to strengthen your career path, sharpen your skills, or drive meaningful change in the food and beverage industry, this show is packed with actionable advice and insights. From practical strategies to mindset shifts, our experts will help you unlock new potential and push past roadblocks. đ Donât miss out ...
Join us for an inspiring session on "Real Talk with Jill & Tia" as we welcome food safety expert Morrine Omolo! đď¸ Morrine blends deep technical expertise in microbial food safety with the practical communication skills that keep food safety cultures thriving. Sheâll dive into the essential qualities of resilience, agility, and the ability to rebound after unexpected events đ ď¸đâskills that help organizations adapt and lead through any challenge.Â
Â
Donât miss this opportunity to learn how thes...
Embrace each person's transition.
That's what came to mind when I saw these trees. It's uncanny how things in nature parallel our human life (actually, not really...but that's another post!). Like humans, even trees come in all shapes, sizes, ages, styles, and colors. They each go through transitions in their own way and in their own time. Even when Mother Nature applies pressure with shortened days and cooler temps, the trees still need to follow their own path to change.  They will reach ...