Sowing Leadership Skills for Business Success

Brian Rhodes didn’t grow up in a family of farmers. His parents were teachers, yet something about the land called to him from an early age. He spent his childhood summers working on local farms, fascinated by the work's hands-on nature and the seasons' unpredictability. That curiosity led him to start a small farming operation while attending Arizona State University until an entirely different world caught his attention: Wall Street.

After securing a role at Lehman Brothers, Rhodes traded the fields for finance, diving into the high-stakes world of investment banking. But even as he navigated 100-hour work weeks in New York City, farming never left his mind. Years later, after earning an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and working at Barclays and Macquarie, he decided to return to Arizona and build something of his own. Today, as the Owner and Operator of A&B Farms, a large, diversified farming operation in central AZ, he oversees more than 25,000 acres of farmland, growing everything from cotton, corn, grains and other crops. In addition Brian is Co-CEO and Founder of April & Ashley and a partner in Francis Roses, the leading supplier of rose bushes to the wholesale market in North America.

Rhodes’ story is more than a career shift. It’s proof that some of the best leadership lessons come from the ground up. Here’s how farming principles have shaped his approach to business growth and leadership.

Leadership Through Adversity: Thinking Ahead and Staying Adaptable

Farming is one of the most unpredictable industries. It’s shaped by forces outside of human control, from weather to market fluctuations to supply chain disruptions. It requires constant adaptation, and Rhodes sees this as a defining factor in his leadership style.

“I always say farming is one of the most unforgiving businesses that there is. Every business has lots of variables that they deal with. But with farming, you have Mother Nature, growing commodity crops, and the chance of having so many things that can happen in the blink of an eye.”

The ability to anticipate challenges and think several steps ahead has been instrumental in both his agricultural operations and business ventures. His background in finance gave him the analytical skills to assess risk and identify opportunities, but farming has reinforced the importance of resilience and adaptability—qualities that any business leader needs to succeed in a rapidly changing market.

Leadership Tip: Plan for uncertainty and always stay ahead of challenges.

The Power of Long-Term Thinking

Modern business culture often rewards speed—quick pivots, fast decisions, and instant results. Farming, on the other hand, demands patience. It requires patience, strategic planning, and the discipline to nurture growth over time. Rhodes has embraced this long-term mindset, applying it to his approach in both agriculture and business.

“I think my financial experience has allowed me to help plan and grow—and do it in a smart way. Through the farming side, it's taught me adversity and how to deal with all of the risks and challenges. I'm always thinking ahead and thinking out of the box.”

Whether scaling April & Ashley or navigating shifts in the agricultural industry, Rhodes relies on strategic planning and sustainable growth rather than chasing short-term gains. He sees patience not as a limitation but as a competitive advantage that allows leaders to build businesses that stand the test of time.

Leadership Tip: Think beyond the short-term. Success is measured in seasons, not seconds.

Leading with Empathy and Understanding

Rhodes has managed teams across vastly different industries, from high-pressure finance firms to family-run farming operations. But regardless of the setting, he believes leadership starts with listening.

“Listen to people. Really try to understand them, put yourself in their shoes, and understand their position, whether you agree with it or not.”

For Rhodes, great leadership isn’t about issuing directives but building trust. Whether it’s a farmworker tending crops, a business partner negotiating a deal, or a team member launching a new initiative, success comes from recognizing different perspectives and making people feel heard.

Leadership Tip: Great leaders listen before they lead.

Sustainability as Smart Business Strategy

Sustainability is often framed as a moral responsibility, but Rhodes sees it as something more: a financial necessity. Running a farm at scale requires careful management of resources, from water and soil health to labor and logistics. Making sustainability a priority leads to smarter resource allocation, lower costs, and a more resilient business in the long run.

“If you're not treating your land right, or if you're not doing the right things from a sustainability perspective, it actually has negative impacts on your finances as a farming operation.”

He views sustainability not as a buzzword but as a principle directly affecting profitability. Smart leaders, whether in agriculture or any other industry, recognize that cutting corners today often leads to greater costs down the line.

Leadership Tip: Sustainable practices are not just ethical — they’re profitable.

Taking Smart Risks And Knowing When to Hold Back

Risk-taking is a key part of leadership, but Rhodes approaches it with a balance of analysis and intuition. Some of his biggest career moves—leaving Wall Street, expanding his farm, and launching a luxury floral brand—required calculated leaps of faith.

“You're going to do all of the analysis and look at the numbers and try to make sure it makes sense that way. But it's also, I think, just a gut feeling. There have been times that we've taken risks and they haven't worked out. And there have been times that they've worked out wonderfully. But if you don't take any risk or don't try, you're not going to get ahead.”

This philosophy applies to any career path. Growth comes from strategic risk-taking, but not every opportunity is worth the jump. The key is knowing when the potential reward outweighs the downside and being willing to learn from failure rather than fear it.

Leadership Tip: Risk-taking is necessary, but it should always be calculated.

Final Takeaway: Leadership Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

If there’s one piece of advice Rhodes would give his younger self, it’s this: be patient.

“Don't be impatient. Your career is much more of a marathon than a sprint.”

Success doesn’t come overnight, and the best leaders understand that long-term thinking, adaptability, and resilience will take them further than any quick win. Whether in farming or business, the leaders who thrive are the ones who are willing to put in the time, learn from setbacks, and grow season after season.