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Those working in the pig farming industry know just how challenging it can be to keep their business going over the long term.
Beyond the technical and economic demands of the sector, there is a growing concern: Who will carry on our work when we're no longer here?
We're not just talking about family succession. We're talking about talent, vocation, future. How to cultivate today the leadership the sector will need tomorrow.
Conscious preparation, not forced
Rather than waiting for the next generation to simply 'emerge' one day, it's time to take a proactive approach: we need to educate, inspire and support children and young people from an early age so that they see this sector as a genuine opportunity for professional and personal development.
Fostering leadership from childhood does not mean imposing it. Conscious preparation begins with accepting that children may or may not wish to carry on the family legacy. It is a process built on an open-minded approach, where they're offered training and an emotional environment that inspires them, but free from pressure.
This involves fostering a corporate culture that reflects the company's values: responsibility, entrepreneurship, transparency, curiosity and service. We must also be prepared for that replacement to come from elsewhere. That's why it's essential to train all children and, at the same time, develop open structures for future leaders, whether they're family members or not.
Involving them from an early age
Even from the age of 8 or 10, children can start to engage with the company. Accompanying their parents to work, taking part in events, or receiving rewards for academic achievements, which could include learning more about the business, are symbolic yet effective ways of fostering a sense of belonging.
You can invite them to observe, give their views and get involved: "What would you do if…?" Listen carefully to their answers and see how they react. Their answers often offer a fresh, creative and surprisingly lucid interpretation. When adults validate their ideas, children develop confidence and a sense of connection with that environment.
It is also essential to teach them from an early age about hard work, teamwork, basic finance and decision-making. The aim is to provide them with experiences that prepare them emotionally and cognitively for the future.
Understanding their stage of development
During childhood, natural curiosity is the dominant trait. This is a golden opportunity to encourage initiative and critical thinking. Turning their questions into a research project (for example, why pigs have curled tails) not only stimulates their minds, but also connects them emotionally with their surroundings.
Children learn more from what they see than from what they're told. If they grow up seeing adults who are exhausted or emotionally distant, they will associate that with the business. That's why it's essential to create enjoyable experiences where they can have fun, feel valued and make a contribution. Enjoyment is the most powerful factor for a child: if they enjoy something, they want to do it again, and this makes them see it as a place where they want to be.
Developing leadership naturally
Leadership is a skill that can be developed. Allowing children to make decisions about everyday matters helps to foster leadership skills. As they grow older, they can take on more specific responsibilities.
In the context of pig farming, for example, taking part in animal care tasks enables them to develop organisational skills, problem-solving abilities, a sense of responsibility and time management skills. When accompanied by patience and guidance, these experiences shape them from within.
For them, money isn't the driving force. The most important thing is the emotional connection and enjoyment. If there's no enjoyment or emotional connection, they're unlikely to want to lead that business in the future.
Preparing the company and the environment
It's not enough simply to prepare our children. The company needs to become a place where people want to be. This means having a purpose, a vision and a sense of direction. An emotionally healthy environment that is profitable and offers opportunities for professional and personal fulfilment.
It's essential for them to gain experience in other companies: taking instructions, sticking to a schedule, and resolving conflicts. This gives them a broader perspective and strengthens their sense of identity. That way, they'll be able to appreciate the family business more, should they decide to return.
Taking them to trade fairs, industry events or specialist training courses isn't an expense: it's an investment. It broadens their horizons and allows them to discover new possibilities.
Having the support of mentors or psychologists makes all the difference. It equips them with the tools they need to make more independent and mature decisions in the future.
The role of the adult: supporting and letting go
Adults need to do some serious soul-searching: prepare to let go of control, of the need to take centre stage, and of the need to make all the decisions. This process is not just structural; it is also emotional and relates to identity. It requires us to take a hard look at our expectations, fears and personal pride.
Fostering leadership from an early age is no guarantee of continuity, but it does increase the likelihood that children, if they choose to stay, will do so with purpose, passion and preparation.
The task is not to hold on to control, but to sow seeds wisely, with love, in order to leave a lasting mark.
A task for everyone
Fostering leadership from an early age isn't just a matter for those who run a family business. It's the responsibility of the pig industry as a whole.
If you want to secure a future in the sector, you need to invest now in the talent that is still developing today.
Perhaps that curious child who today asks why piglets have curled tails will revolutionise tomorrow's pig production, genetics or marketing. But that will only happen if there are thoughtful adults today who are willing to create opportunities, listen and teach.
