| THE NEW AGE LEADERSHIP Leading by Example is the fastest and most effective way of gaining trust and teaching others, which helps the leader lead toward the future he dreams of and wishes to see. Parents lead by example. Teachers and coaches lead by example. Managers lead by example. Army officers lead by example. Prime Ministers and Presidents lead by example. As we all know too well, not all real-life examples are setting positive models, and not all directions set by leaders are proper or successful. Nevertheless, the power of Leading by Example is working both ways, which is why we should handle it in couscous and carefully chose our leaders. In light of this, it seems that the agro-industry in the emerging economies will benefit tremendously when stakeholders, such as experts, managers, scientists, Professors, Doctors, local and national leaders, government officials, and other officials, will continuously practice what they are preaching. This way, through example, leaders will set an example of WHAT to do and HOW. WHERE YOU POSITION YOURSELF? Please think of the three leaders, Moses, Nelson Mandela, and Mahatma Gandhi. These three world-changers always positioned themselves at places where the difficulty was at its most. Following the footsteps and taking the path of gigantic leaders, who grew up and acted in the most challenging times of their oppressed nations, is what emerging economies need now more than ever. To lead by example, you need to set a personal example. Ask yourself, is it possible to set an example when sending an e-mail or making a phone call from a cozy office? By default, especially in the agro-industry, you set an example while being with the people in the field, particularly with the ones who need and want to change. As can be expected, those who need the change are the ones who currently suffer the most. Hence, being with them is something that some leaders try to avoid, hoping that things will miraculously change for the better by themselves. Did anyone say that being a leader should be an easy or luxurious life? Did anyone say that “true leadership” is a characteristic reserved only to those who change nations' history in real life? No! Nowadays, you can find world-changing Leaders by Example, leading startups, NGOs, companies, and governmental offices. Can you think of such current leaders? Do you need a title to set an example and lead? Do you need a nomination? Do you need your activity to have substantial global influence? No, No, and No! There is no need for a title or nomination. Be the leader in your organization, your company, your team, your office, your village, your country. Lead yourself. Lead one other person. Whatever you do, Lead by Example! You got it, anyone can become A Leader by Example, and all it takes is your decision. As I now work to intensify fresh produce export from Africa and emerging economies to premium markets, I meet, work and connect with many Leaders by Example. Many of them don't view themselves as Leaders; they just do "the right thing," as they view it. It gives me great pleasure. Those people who are "leaders in practice" are the ones who think ahead; they are energized by a vision and full of motivation. Thanks to those leaders, together, we will be able to change the faith of millions of farmers around the world. I salute you! PERSONAL EXAMPLE It is not a question but rather a fact; the agro-industry in most emerging economies is the most critical industry in those countries. It is also a fact that the agro-industry in those countries is not doing well, which is why hunger and poverty prevail in those countries more than in others. For that reason, I have decided that Biofeed and Green Valley should focus their efforts on improving the agro-industry and farmers' situation in those countries. This is in line with Biofeed's Vision and Mission: "To improve farmers' livelihood byincreasing quality production, free of bio and chemical hazards, grown in a safe, eco-friendly environment, to enable the consumers to enjoy better and healthier food and life." Once I fully grasped the challenges and substantial change required in the emerging economies, I understood that the kind of change I am dreaming of could only occur if I set a personal example as to the WHAT and HOW. In other words, I will need to be personally present in all the places where I wish to see the change. Not in the EU, not in the USA, or other developed markets. No. I should invest my time mainly in the fields and orchards with the farmers, experts, and stakeholders in the value chain of countries and people who are wishing to change and need the change. I invest my time where my present and leadership can positively impact the most significant number of people. This is why I travel so often to some emerging economies and why I have made it a habit to talk about them. I write you this e-mail from Senegal, Africa, where we build the foundation of an outstanding Green Valley program, all by example. Unfortunately, we tend to think that the problem of the emerging economies is the farmers. It is breaking my heart every time I hear that, mainly because it is not true. Second, because it means that the focus is not on where it should be if we honestly wish to improve our future (see the previous article, which is discussing that issue >><<). It seems that the number one problem of the agro-industry in emerging economies is the lack of proper business models to unleash the enormous unveiled potential. This is why I invested much of my time in the past four years to develop a proper conceptual business model. This "business model," dedicated to the agro-industry of emerging economies, is called Green Valley. No substantial physical improvement will occur in people's lives unless we change their mentality and rearrange or change the legal system in which they operate. Think again about Moses, Mandela, and Gandhi and the mental change they had to change their countries and the legal changes that followed. Green Valley program starts by making sure we work with those who have the mentality of winners and a marathon runner's attitude. You see, economic success is the result of pre-planned mental changes, which are then translated into an action plan and activities, and not the other way around. Leading by Example causes a mental change to occur, which opens up a window for the belief that our future can be better if we change, to infiltrate our minds and lives. | 
