The leaders who thrive will be those who can stay human in the hard moments. They bring clarity, empathy and courage to decisions that matter. True leadership is staying human in the difficult moments. 

Jarrod Gillig proved his humanity when he found himself navigating one of the hardest decisions a leader can face: the shutdown of Cargill’s Plainview beef plant. Overnight, his role became telling thousands of people that their world was about to change. 

It was a deeply human decision with real consequences: lost jobs, struggling families, broken communities. Every next step would ripple far beyond the plant walls.  

Jarrod’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership is not defined by the good days. It’s defined by the days when the stakes are high, the answers aren’t easy and people are looking to you to steady the ship. 

We can all take a lesson from Jarrod’s journey to navigate into an industry growing more complex by the year. 

1. Tough decisions feel different when real people are on the line. 

Jarrod’s story reminds us that leadership isn’t about avoiding difficult decisions. It’s about remembering who those decisions affect. When leaders anchor their choices in humanity rather than urgency, they make decisions with clarity, integrity and purpose. 

2. Empathy is stabilizing 

Jarrod learned that during heavy seasons, people aren’t always looking for solutions first. They’re looking for someone who listens. 
“Most times people don’t need to be fixed — they just need to be heard.” 

When teams are facing uncertainty, layoffs, operational changes or crisis, the leader who slows down long enough to understand their perspective earns trust that outlasts the challenge. 

3. Find joy, even on the hard days 

When Jarrod was managing complex plants, there were days where eight different things went wrong before lunch. His tactic? Go find one success story. Not to ignore the problems, but to stay grounded, hopeful and capable of leading others forward. 

When you begin to seek out joy, leadership shifts from managing tasks to stewarding impact. When leaders anchor their choices in humanity rather than urgency, they make decisions with clarity, integrity and purpose. 

4. Reflection is a leader’s best filter 

Reflection turns experience into wisdom. When leaders step back and examine their conversations, decisions and behaviors, they gain clarity on who they are and who they want to be. 

Jarrod’s leadership changed when he started intentionally reflecting on decisions. Rather it is long drives or just a moment of stillness, Jarrod replayed conversations, outcomes, tough calls, and asked: “Would I do that differently next time?” 

5. Start preparing for tough decisions now 

Leaders entering agriculture today will face challenges previous generations never imagined: tighter labor markets, volatile cattle cycles, rapid tech adoption, financial expectations, shifting consumer habits and global supply chain pressure. 

The leaders who make the greatest impact approach these moments with a blend of courage and humanity. They understand that leadership isn't about having all the answers, but about guiding people through complexity with honesty, clarity and care. 

Take time to reflect 

Jarrod’s journey shows that leadership is shaped by how you treat people when stakes are high.

The tough days won’t just test you. They’ll transform you. 

And the agriculture industry needs leaders who can balance courage with compassion, results with responsibility and decisions with humanity. 

Learn More  

Jarrod Gillig, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Beef at Cargill, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to share what he’s learned across nearly three decades inside one of the most complex protein businesses. From stewarding the people behind 90 million daily meals to navigating operational challenges that affect both producers and consumers, Jarrod brings a rare dual lens from the packer and producer side. His journey is one of curiosity, accountability and leading with intention.