People Practices Spotlights

Growing Cargill’s managers

How is Cargill working to ensure our next generation of leaders is ready for the challenges that lie ahead? Cargill’s High Performance Leadership Academy is a set of six unique programs designed to develop managers and leaders at all levels. These programs focus on elements such as how to engage employees, achieve business goals, and embody Cargill’s core values. The academy involves leaders teaching leaders and is based on the foundation of Cargill’s unique leadership model and strategic principles.

Cargill business units and functions turn to the company’s Organizational Effectiveness and Training & Development Services teams as a resource to design programs ranging from less than one day to 15 months, based on the unique cultural and business needs they face. Managers begin by learning to expand their technical knowledge to also include leadership skills. They learn to effectively manage their employees’ performance, build and maintain constructive relationships, and help people grown and learn. As managers participate in these development programs, they learn and refine valuable skills such as adaptability, coaching, influencing, leading groups, applying strategic thinking, and innovation.

The academy also aims to broaden each manager’s knowledge of the company. Course participants visit Cargill sites and build relationships with colleagues in varying businesses and locations. Through the High Performance Leadership Academy, Cargill is laying the foundation for the continued success of our employees and our company.

Cargill Financial Service Center honored

Cargill’s Financial Service Center (FSC) in Fargo, North Dakota, United States, was recently honored as one of the Most Admired Shared Service Organizations of 2004 by the International Quality and Productivity Center. This was the third year the awards were presented, and the FSC joined companies such as Boeing, DuPont, Procter & Gamble and Alcoa as one of the top 10 shared service organizations.

Employees at the FSC have embraced a culture of recognition. The center’s recognition committee is a group of employees representing various departments, tenures, and levels within the facility. The committee plans and promotes the center’s various recognition programs and special events to honor their peers.