New eBook: Strong Leadership Lessons

I’m excited to share that you can now read the first chapter of Strong Leadership Lessons—completely free. It’s my way of giving you a front‑row seat to the stories, principles, and hard‑earned insights that shaped my journey from the farm fields to the Fortune 100.

In this opening chapter, you’ll discover how authentic leadership is forged—not in comfort, but in challenge. You’ll see how early lessons in agriculture, FFA, and real‑world adversity became the foundation for the 85 leadership principles explored throughout the book.

If the preview resonates with you, you download the full book directly from my site for a 37% discount here:👉 https://www.drscottstrong.com/product-page/strong-leadership-lessons-1

Whether you’re a student leader, a rising professional, or a seasoned executive, I believe these lessons will help you lead with more clarity, courage, and purpose. Enjoy the first chapter—and welcome to the journey.

Chapter 1- Under the Rising Sun

The Blueprint for Success-Start with the End in Mind, But Allow for Detours That Lead to Higher Places

In life, we are deeply shaped by the events, achievements, and legacies we witness in others. We often study individuals in roles we admire—whether it's the President of the United States, movie stars, teachers, firefighters, or career politicians—and assume that following their path will lead us to similar success.

This tendency is especially evident in agricultural leadership development through the National FFA Organization (formerly Future Farmers of America). As a student-led youth organization, FFA has long served as a powerful incubator for emerging leaders. Though rooted in agriculture, its leadership principles are universally applicable.

Many pursue leadership roles not only for the visibility they bring, but because they believe these positions will open doors to future opportunities. FFA plays a vital role in supporting agricultural education, which empowers youth through leadership, personal growth, and career success.

At the pinnacle of FFA leadership is the prestigious role of National FFA Officer—a title awarded to just six individuals each year, selected from over 1 million members across more than 9,400 chapters in all 50 states. These officers serve for one year as agricultural ambassadors for the organization, representing FFA in a public relations capacity at events, conferences, and stakeholder engagements.

"The best thing that never happened to me was not getting elected to be a national FFA officer."

— Dr. Scott Strong

Serving as a National FFA Officer is a transformative journey—one that fosters meaningful connections and cultivates skills that can pave the way for future success. This truth echoes through the halls of agricultural education and beyond, teaching universal lessons about leadership that transcend any single industry or organization. However, there's a critical distinction that many overlook in our achievement-oriented culture: it's often not the attainment of a position that creates success, but rather the process, struggle, and character development that occurs during the pursuit.

Throughout American history, this pattern has evolved with changing times. In our nation's early founding, the position of Secretary of State often served as a stepping stone to the presidency. During the 1970s and 1980s, governorships became the preferred pathway after Ronald Reagan's observation that "the best preparation for being president was being governor of a large state." These shifts demonstrate how we continuously look to successful individuals and attempt to model their trajectories.

STRONG LEADERSHIP LESSON #1: Embrace Process-Oriented Goals Over Position-Oriented Goals

Focus on the skills, character traits, and experiences you'll gain through pursuit rather than solely on achieving a specific title or position. Vague goals can lead to confusion, frustration, low motivation, and wasted time and resources, but goals focused on personal development create lasting value regardless of specific outcomes.

Fortune 500 Application: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella transformed the company's culture by shifting focus from position and status to growth mindset and continuous learning. Under his leadership, Microsoft moved away from internal competition for prestigious roles toward collaborative skill development, resulting in the company's market value tripling between 2014 and 2024 (Microsoft Annual Report, 2024).

"The learn-it-all does better than the know-it-all. It's not just about the skills you have but the mindset you bring."

— Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft (Nadella, 2017, p. 43)

Research Support: Harvard Business Publishing's 2024 Global Leadership Development Study reveals that organizations focusing on capability-building rather than position-filling show significantly higher leadership effectiveness. Research on organizational resilience demonstrates that "soft" facilitators related to employee focus and learning orientation are pivotal for long-term success (Hollands et al., 2024).

The Hero's Journey in Leadership

In many successful movies, there are consistently two battles the hero must face: first, the external battle to rally troops and fight an enemy, and second, the internal battle against insurrection within their own group. This mirrors the FFA experience perfectly—we must develop the capability to lead others while simultaneously managing internal conflicts and self-doubt.

The FFA journey becomes a microcosm of the broader world, which is what drew me so powerfully to the organization. It represented a beautiful marriage of leadership development grounded in agriculture—the area of life most important to me. This connection between personal passion and leadership development created what I call "the blue and the gold."

The blue represents the hard work, determination, and ability to overcome challenges—the grinding, persistent effort that builds character. The gold represents leadership, achievement, and the shining examples of success that emerge after navigating through what I call "The Dark Night" of struggle and growth.

STRONG LEADERSHIP LESSON #2: Develop Your "Blue and Gold" Philosophy

Identify your core area of passion (your "blue"—the foundation of hard work and determination) and consciously connect it to your leadership aspirations (your "gold"—the visible achievements and influence). This integration creates authentic leadership grounded in genuine expertise and passion.

Fortune 500 Application: Howard Schultz built Starbucks into a global powerhouse by connecting his passion for coffee culture (blue) with his vision for creating a "third place" between home and work (gold). This authentic integration of passion and purpose allowed Starbucks to grow from a small Seattle coffee shop to over 35,000 stores worldwide (Starbucks Corporate Report, 2024).

"When you're surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible."

— Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks (Schultz & Gordon, 2011, p. 112)

Research Support: Recent research on resilient leadership development shows that resilience is the cornerstone of personal growth and development. Leadership resilience involves cultivating agility, adaptability, and foresight to thrive amidst adversity (Jansen & Wieland, 2024).

The Power of "Failure" and Redefinition

My personal journey illustrates this principle powerfully. I set a goal to become a national FFA officer, believing this position would provide the platform and credibility needed for a successful career in motivational speaking. I was inspired by former FFA officers who had transitioned into successful speaking careers and wanted to emulate their path.

Despite my best efforts, I didn't get elected. At the time, this felt like a significant failure. However, looking back decades later, I can confidently say it was absolutely the best thing that never happened to me.

This realization came through a parallel experience during my college years. Inspired by martial arts movies popular at the time, I began studying karate with the goal of earning a black belt. I trained diligently for years and was well on my way to achieving this goal when college graduation and career responsibilities forced me to discontinue my formal training.

For years, I considered this another "failure"—another goal I had set but never achieved. However, my sensei taught our class a profound lesson that changed my perspective. After being promoted to black belt, he challenged our entire class: "You all want to be black belts? I'll give you my black belt and take your current belt. All you must do is fight me and beat me to keep it. Who's first?"

Not one person raised their hand, because we all knew that regardless of what belt he wore, he would absolutely defeat any of us. His skill wasn't dependent on the symbol around his waist.

STRONG LEADERSHIP LESSON #3: Redefine Success Through Purpose Alignment

Regularly reassess your goals by asking: "What was the real reason I pursued this?" Often, you'll discover you've already achieved your true objective, even if you didn't obtain the external recognition, you originally sought.

Fortune 500 Application: When Anne Mulcahy became CEO of Xerox in 2001, the company was near bankruptcy with $ 17.1 billion in debt. Rather than focusing on traditional metrics of CEO success like rapid growth, she redefined success as saving the company and preserving its core values. By realigning purpose with reality, she successfully led one of the most remarkable corporate turnarounds in business history (Xerox Historical Archives, 2023).

"When I became CEO, I didn't think about breaking the glass ceiling. I thought about not letting 96,000 people lose their jobs. What really matters isn't the role but what you do with it."

— Anne Mulcahy, former CEO of Xerox (Mulcahy, 2010, p. 78)

Research Support: Research on learning from failures shows that employee learning from failures is key to effective functioning and long-term sustainable development. Modern leadership research emphasizes that different types of failure demand distinct approaches to learning and recovery (Harvard Business Publishing, 2024).

The Ancient Wisdom of Earned Excellence

My sensei shared the ancient story of how martial artists traditionally earned black belts. Students would begin with a white belt and practice intensively. Over months and years of dedicated training, the belt would become dingy, gray, and eventually darkened with dirt and wear. The blackened belt became the symbol—not of a promotion ceremony, but of sustained dedication and countless hours of practice.

This story revolutionized my understanding of achievement. I realized that my original goal in martial arts wasn't actually to earn a black belt—it was to learn how to defend myself so I would never again be bullied as I had been as a child. When I examined my progress through this lens, I discovered I had absolutely achieved my real objective. I had learned to defend myself effectively.

This realization applies directly to my FFA experience. My true goal wasn't to hold the title of national officer—it was to develop the speaking skills, confidence, and leadership capabilities that would serve me throughout my career. Through my FFA involvement, competitions, and leadership opportunities, I had gained exactly what I needed, even without the specific title I had originally sought.

STRONG LEADERSHIP LESSON #4: Cultivate the "Darkened Belt" Mindset

Focus on accumulating genuine expertise and experience rather than pursuing symbols of achievement. True mastery comes from sustained practice and real-world application, not from titles or positions.

Fortune 500 Application: Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, exemplifies the "darkened belt" mindset through his lifelong commitment to value investing principles rather than chasing investment fads. His consistent approach has generated over 20% annualized returns for shareholders over 50+ years, far outperforming those who pursue quick gains and prestigious investment titles (Berkshire Hathaway Annual Report, 2024).

"The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything."

— Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (Schroeder, 2008, p. 317)

Research Support: Harvard Business Research on leadership development goals emphasizes that if internal systems, processes, and culture are not supportive, training efforts fail regardless of external recognition. Research by positive psychology pioneer Martin Seligman shows that some individuals "reel, recover, and move on with their lives" while others get bogged down, and this difference often relates to how they interpret setbacks (Seligman, 2011).

Learning Through Adversity

One of the most valuable lessons I learned from the FFA is that our greatest growth often comes not from our successes, but from our setbacks and challenges. When we achieve something easily, we typically celebrate briefly and move on to the next goal. But when we face obstacles, we're forced to examine our true motivations, refine our methods, and develop resilience.

In the dojo, you would win some matches and lose others, but you would consistently improve through both experiences. The losses, however, taught more profound lessons because they demanded deeper self-examination and adjustment. Similarly, the experiences in FFA that initially felt like failures became the driving forces that pushed me toward greater growth and eventual success.

This principle requires us to reframe our relationship with difficulty. Rather than viewing challenges as obstacles to our goals, we must recognize them as essential components of our development. God often allows us to face struggles not to prevent our success, but to prepare us for greater achievements that require the character and skills we develop through overcoming adversity.

STRONG LEADERSHIP LESSON #5: Transform Setbacks into Setup Points

When facing disappointment or failure, immediately ask: "What skills, insights, or character traits is this experience developing in me?" Use setbacks as opportunities to clarify your true objectives and strengthen your foundation for future success.

Fortune 500 Application: After Apple fired Steve Jobs in 1985, he transformed this career setback into a setup for unprecedented success. During his exile, he founded NeXT Computer and purchased Pixar, developing crucial skills and insights that prepared him to return to Apple and lead it to become the world's most valuable company (Apple Corporate History, 2023).

"I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again."

— Steve Jobs, co-founder and former CEO of Apple (Jobs, 2005)

Research Support: Organizational resilience research demonstrates that resilience can reduce emotional exhaustion and contribute to business success, with learning orientation being a critical factor. The 2024 Global Leadership Development Study shows that organizations emphasizing learning from setbacks demonstrate higher leadership effectiveness (Harvard Business Publishing, 2024).

The Blue and Gold Integration

My journey taught me that I had been focused too heavily on the "gold"—the visible achievements, titles, and recognition. What I really needed was to develop the "blue"—the fundamental skills, character, and expertise that would serve me regardless of titles or positions.

The FFA provided exactly this foundation. Through countless speaking opportunities, leadership challenges, and agricultural education, I developed the core competencies that have driven my success throughout my career. The specific title of national officer would have been nice, but it wasn't necessary for achieving my true objectives.

This distinction becomes crucial for current and future FFA members. While it's natural and appropriate to set ambitious goals and strive for leadership positions, we must remember that the real value lies in the development process itself. The skills you build, the relationships you form, the confidence you gain, and the character you develop through FFA participation will serve you far longer than any specific title or award.

STRONG LEADERSHIP LESSON #6: Balance Aspiration with Foundation Building

Set ambitious goals (gold) while maintaining primary focus on skill development and character building (blue). Ensure that your pursuit of visible achievements doesn't overshadow the development of fundamental competencies.

Fortune 500 Application: Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, rose through the ranks over 40 years, focusing on building fundamental skills in engineering, manufacturing, and management before becoming the first female CEO of a major automaker. Her balanced approach to aspiration and foundation building enabled her to successfully lead GM through industry disruption and transformation (General Motors Leadership Profile, 2024).

"I believe the auto industry will change more in the next 5-10 years than it has in the last 50, and I want to make sure GM is at the forefront of that change. But transformation requires both vision and fundamentals."

— Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors (Barra, 2022, p. 14)

Research Support: Modern leadership development research emphasizes that goals need action plans and should be clear and specific, while effective leadership goals should be aligned with overall objectives and aspirations, making sense in the context of larger plans (DX Learning, 2024).

Practical Application

Consider these questions:

What positions or achievements are you currently pursuing? Are you focused primarily on the title itself, or on the skills and growth the pursuit will provide?

How do you respond when you don't achieve a specific goal? Do you view it as failure, or as an opportunity to reassess and refocus on your true objectives?

Remember, the experience is ultimately about preparing you for lifelong success and service. The specific contests you win, offices you hold, or awards you receive are valuable, but they're not the ultimate measure of your success. The character, skills, and relationships you develop through your journey will serve you throughout your career and life.

Conclusion: The Journey Continues

Like an FFA President, you may start with one destination in mind — but great leaders don't just charge ahead blindly. They adjust course when better opportunities arise, even if it means letting go of the original plan.

In FFA opening ceremonies, the role of the President is symbolized by the rising sun, a powerful emblem of hope, direction, and a new era in agriculture. The ceremony reminds us:

"If we will follow the leadership of our President, we will be led out of the darkness of selfishness and into the glorious sunlight of brotherhood and cooperation."

This message isn't just about presiding over meetings — it's a call to lead with vision, flexibility, and integrity. Like the rising sun, real leadership illuminates the path forward, even when it bends in unexpected directions. The best leaders, just like the best journeys, remain open to divine detours that lead to higher places than we originally imagined.

As an FFA member and future leader, I thought I had it all mapped out — I saw my career heading straight into the prestige of agricultural chemicals. It was the "glamorous" path I envisioned. But when wise counsel and a meaningful opportunity placed me back near my roots — close to my family farm and the Purdue community —

I realized that success isn't always about chasing prestige. Sometimes, it's about proximity to purpose. Just like an FFA President leads others toward cooperation and shared light, I had to step into a new kind of leadership — one that listens, adapts, and trusts that detours may be divine.

The beautiful truth about leadership development through FFA is that it never really ends. The principles you learn, the character you build, and the skills you develop become the foundation for lifelong growth and contribution. Sometimes the paths we initially choose don't lead exactly where we expected, but they often lead to places far better than we originally imagined.

Start with the end in mind, but remain open to the detours that may take you to higher places. The detours often become the most valuable parts of the journey, teaching lessons and developing capabilities that the straight path never could have provided.

Your FFA experience is not just preparation for future leadership—it is leadership development in real time. Embrace the process, learn from every experience, and trust that the combination of your blue foundation and gold aspirations will create opportunities for service and success beyond your current imagination.