LJM Associates Ltd

  Do you make time in your day to take stock—to simply stop for a moment? Mindfulness has become a buzzword in countless contexts; even my watch prompts me at certain times to “be mindful.” But at its heart, being mindful is about becoming—becoming you.   Mindfulness can be simple and practical: pausing for a few moments on a walk to truly see what’s around you, taking a breath before opening an email, feeling your feet on the floor while you wait for the kettle to boil or stand on the train, or taking one or two calming breaths before responding to someone. These tiny moments of taking stock add up. They create space in your mind, quieting the constant pull of the to-do list and the demands of daily life. Even a few seconds of pause can offer a little more clarity—and sometimes even a little more compassion for yourself and for others.

  Really pleased to have delivered a presentation yesterday to the HDRF Conference 2025 - Next Generation Resilient Dairying in Edinburgh yesterday with the title "Resilience and legality across dairy food chains."

Being grounded means staying focused on what really matters even when everything around you feels chaotic, confused and noisy. It involves cultivating self-awareness, being present for yourself and others, and building the foundations, both in your leadership and in the practices around you, that create clarity.    Grounded leaders are anchored by their principles, purpose, and boundaries, which makes setting priorities and addressing challenges far easier. In a world that pulls your attention and your team's attention in every direction, being grounded is an act of strength. It’s a continual practice, a deliberate choice to return to a place of stability where you can respond rather than react, act with intention not impulse, and reflect rather than rush to judgment. Grounded leaders can adapt to change without losing their footing. They communicate with clarity, establish thoughtful priorities, and model resilience through their behaviour. When leaders are centred, teams fee...

  In September I was invited to contribute to a webinar of Regenerative Agriculture for SCI. The webinar entitled 'Regenerative agriculture - what does it mean for farmers, policy-makers and you?' has now been published on You Tube - do check it out  https://youtu.be/rxf4ebzBUCw?si=-YsfcA0B2x3iLKTk   

Last Friday I had a very enjoyable morning facilitating a session for this year's cohort of the Worshipful Company of Farmers - Advanced Course in Agri-business Management. Lots of discussion and reflection on risk, vulnerability and evidence based decision making.   

  Are you a thought leader? Thought leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. Thought leadership is being the voice in the room that brings clarity, perspective, and meaning. Thought leadership requires confidence - confidence in yourself and your ideas and confidence in the space where you are engaging with others. Thought leadership is the quiet confidence to share what you have learned with others, not because you want attention or reward, but because you want to help others to grow.  At its core, thought leadership is an act of service. It’s choosing to reflect deeply, to question the way things are, and to offer ideas that help people think differently, evolve, or see new possibilities. It doesn’t require a title, a platform, or a spotlight. It simply requires the courage to show up with your thinking and be open, honest, and intentional. Often, it starts small - sharing an insight with a colleague, supporting a team member with a problem they have, ask...

When your children say to you, “Mum, you’re going to smash it,” it makes you pause. It makes you reflect on the confidence they have in you, the belief they hold so naturally, sometimes more than you hold in yourself. There’s something special about those moments when you realise others recognise you are  showing up. Not in a loud, flashy kind of way, but in the quiet, steady, deeply personal sense of being there for others.  “Showing up” isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. It’s the tiny decisions you make, the small actions you take, especially on the days when you’re unsure, tired, or lacking a bit of self-belief. It’s choosing to step in and step up anyway. Others often see it before you do. They see your consistency, your support, your willingness to stand beside them. They feel the trust, the dependability, the heart you bring to the situation, even when you don’t recognise it in yourself. “Smashing it” isn’t about doing something extraordinary. It’s abou...

  Last Thursday I had a brilliant day at the Resource Efficiency in Horticulture Conference at the East Malling Trust in Kent. Great presentations and lots of food for thought...

  When people talk about needing a framework to structure their ideas or create an action plan they don't always say what kind of framework they mean or they need. I am going to explore four types of framework - their purpose and a key feature. Theoretical framework - a framework based on existing theories and ideas often belonging to someone else. Purpose: to apply theory that someone else has developed to your particular situation.  Key feature: you take someone else's ideas and apply them in your own context. Conceptual Framework - a framework you build yourself to map out a particular idea or plan. Purpose: to map out how you think different factors relate to each other. Key feature: the framework identifies how you think the world is from your perspective. Methodological Framework - a framework that outlines a research plan. Purpose: to provide a step-by-step plan that shows how a piece of research will be done and the data will be analysed. Key feature: this framework e...

  Yesterday I met with the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) Scholars at their Scholar's Day at Harper Adams University. Really enjoyed the day and listening to their thoughts about all things farming...

I am at the NFU Council meeting today where I represent Herefordshire farmers on the Council. Lots to talk about as agri-food policy is evolving fast in the UK at the moment.  

So, what does authentic leadership really mean?  When we think about being authentic, words like genuine, sincere, and honest come to mind, honest with ourselves and with those we lead. Leadership isn’t about reading from a script or putting on a performance. It’s about leading from your values, your character, and your integrity. It’s about showing up as you.  Why do we need authentic leaders?  Because people can spot insincerity a mile away. We don’t trust those who pretend or perform, we trust those who are real. As leaders, we all want to be trusted. That trust begins when we’re authentic. Being authentic means being self-aware, understanding our strengths, our blind spots, and how our actions affect others. It means being clear about our values and consistent in how we make decisions. It means being open, honest, and transparent, even when it’s uncomfortable.  Now, think about a leader who has inspired you. What made them feel real? What made you trust them?...