Putting on your CEO hat: Making strategic thinking part of the job
When you’re running a farm, it’s easy to stay in the weeds—literally and figuratively. There’s always something demanding your attention: livestock, planting, harvest, staff, weather, repairs, invoices—the list never ends. So carving out time to think about the big picture can feel like a luxury. But if you want your farm business to grow—profitably, sustainably, and on your terms—thinking like a CEO isn’t optional. It’s essential.
This article is your invitation (and permission) to step back, put on the CEO hat, and make space for strategic thinking—before another season runs away from you.
The CEO Mindset Shift
Wearing your “farmer hat” is all about the day-to-day. You’re working through the days tasks, solving problems on the spot, and responding to whatever gets thrown at you.
But the “CEO hat” is different. It’s about:
Future direction
Growth and sustainability
Making decisions based on vision, not urgency
Strategic thinking isn’t just a business skill—it’s a mindset shift. Thinking like a CEO means making decisions based on where you want the business to be in five, ten, or even twenty years. It’s about using a long-term plan as your guide, staying focused on the bigger picture, and aligning every major move with your overall direction, team, and resources. It’s also a form of risk management, helping you say yes to the right opportunities—and no to the wrong ones.
Diversification is a perfect example. I’ve seen farmers try to diversify—buying the local café, investing in expensive machinery, or expanding into new territory—simply because the opportunity came up. Sometimes it works. But too often, those decisions are made without checking whether the business has the capacity to make them succeed. Or if it’s moving them closer or further away from their long-term goals. That’s when diversification shifts from a smart move to a costly misstep.
That’s why strategic planning matters. It gives you the guardrails to evaluate opportunities, allocate resources wisely, and avoid distractions that drain time, money, and energy.
This CEO mindset shift is central to building long-term resilience. Success doesn’t come from reacting to what’s right in front of you. It comes from knowing where you’re headed—and planning how to get there.
The Hidden Cost of Not Thinking Strategically
If you’re not carving out space for big-picture thinking, here’s what can happen:
You carry everything in your head—creating stress and mental fatigue
Other people in your business are unclear about its direction, causing confusion or missed opportunities
Decisions get made based on gut feel or urgency, not data or goals
The business stays stuck in the same cycles year after year, without real growth
When you’re already stretched, it’s easy to tell yourself there’s no time for strategy. But it’s not just about time — it’s the mental load, the constant pull of day-to-day demands, the lack of headspace, and the unfamiliarity of stepping away from the doing. All of these can crowd out the need to prioritise time for clear, focused thinking about the bigger picture.
How to Embed Strategic Thinking into your Farm Management
Here are some habits, systems, and tactics I work on with AgCelerate clients to help them intentionally set aside time for putting on their ‘CEO hat’.
Lock it in
If it isn’t scheduled in the diary, it won’t get done!
Block out time for annual strategic planning
Schedule quarterly check-ins and shorter monthly meetings to track progress
Treat it as non-negotiable, just like shearing or harvest
Break the big vision into smaller chunks
Use a 60- or 90-day planning cycle to translate your long-term goals into actionable steps. This makes the big picture feel achievable and gives you a roadmap to follow.
Get off the farm
Especially if you live where you work, it’s important to physically remove yourself from the day-to-day to create mental space for thinking big. Whether it’s a local hotel, a nearby co-working hub, or even in your ute parked by the creek, book time off-farm to think, talk, and plan without interruption.
Set a clear agenda and ground rules
Strategic time is precious—don’t waste it chasing tangents and going down rabbit holes.
Use an agenda to guide the sessions
Create a “carpark” to capture off-topic items to revisit later
Set expectations for respectful discussion, and make sure every voice is heard
Write it down
Your business plan doesn’t need to be fancy—but it does need to exist. Documenting your goals, strategies, responsibilities, and timelines turns ideas into action. It also gives your team clarity and helps succession conversations flow.
Who Should Be In the Room?
Anyone with a say in major decisions should be part of strategic planning. That might be you and a partner, or a wider family group if the business is multi-generational. If future succession is in the mix, bring those voices in now. Don’t leave assumptions hanging in the air.
Consider key staff members who should be part of your regular progress meetings. Keeping them involved gives them a sense of ownership and accountability in their areas of responsibility.
And if you want to get the most from your planning time? Bring in an external facilitator. Someone neutral can keep the discussion on track, challenge your assumptions, add new ideas or insights and record decisions so you can stay focused.
Ready to Put On the CEO Hat?
Here are your next steps:
Book time for a strategic planning day. Decide who needs to be there, and get it off the farm if you can. Consider using an external facilitator to help guide discussions – Paige can help you with this.
Create or update your business plan. Make sure it includes a 5-10 year vision and a short-term 60- or 90-day action plan.
Schedule quarterly check-ins. Align them to the financial year or the seasons—whatever helps you stay consistent and supports your decision-making cycle.
Strategic thinking is a habit, not a one-off event. But like any habit, it only sticks when you choose to make it part of your routine. You don’t need to wait for the perfect time, perfect headspace, or perfect plan. You just need to start.
If you’re ready to step into that CEO mindset, create space for the big picture, and lead your farm business with more clarity, confidence, and direction—let’s talk. Book a call with Paige today.