One of my favorite traditions when family and friends are over for dinner is pulling out a deck of conversation cards designed to spark discussion and laughter. Some questions are lighthearted while others encourage deeper reflection.
One card has always been my favorite: If you could have one superpower, would you rather be invisible or be able to fly?
For whatever reason, most people choose flight. But for me, the answer has always been invisibility. Part of my reasoning is practical because I am not fond of heights. But I have always been intrigued by the idea of being a “fly on the wall,” quietly observing people, conversations and decision-making. Some of life’s most important lessons come from simply paying attention and noticing the unnoticed.
So, if I could be invisible for a day and quietly observe your farm operation, what would I learn? I suspect I would discover far more than what appears on paper. For instance, I might notice whose opinion carries weight when important decisions are made. Or I may learn how managers interact with employees, how problems are solved and how people react to stressful situations. But most of all, I would discover that authority and influen...