Some of the most valuable lessons in leadership aren't learned in a classroom or a boardroom. They're learned in the barn, working alongside others, taking on responsibility and sometimes stepping outside our comfort zones.
For Taylor Novak of EA Risk, formerly ever.ag, those lessons started with showing beef cattle, continued through her experiences at Iowa State University and helped shape a career she never expected.
Today, Taylor serves as business development manager at EA Risk, where her role centers on connecting with dairy producers and industry professionals. In a conversation with Peggy Coffeen on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, she shares the experiences, mentors and lessons that helped her find her place in agriculture—and what other young professionals can learn along the way.
From Beef Cattle to the Dairy Industry: Finding an Untraditional Path
Taylor's journey into dairy wasn't something she planned from the beginning. Growing up, she and her sisters were involved in showing cattle and 4-H, and her family continues to stay connected to agriculture through a small hobby farm.
After earning an animal science degree from Iowa State University, Taylor began her career in northwest Iowa selling cattle feed to beef producers. She enjoyed the opportunity to work directly with farmers, build relationships and help them make decisions for their operations.
That focus on people followed her as she moved into software sales and eventually into her current role with EA Risk.
Although risk management wasn't part of her original career plan, Taylor found that the common thread across each position was the opportunity to help people and build relationships.
Today, as business development manager, she works to connect producers and industry professionals with the support and services EA Risk provides.
Staying Connected to the Farm
While Taylor's professional career has evolved, her connection to agriculture has remained a constant.
She and her family are involved in both grain farming and a beef cow-calf operation. From helping during calving season and checking cameras at night to running the grain cart in the fall, Taylor stays involved in the day-to-day work of the farm.
That hands-on experience gives her a different perspective when working with dairy producers.
Every farm operates differently, and every family has its own dynamics. Understanding those differences can help build stronger relationships and create more meaningful conversations.
Taylor also points out that the person making decisions on a farm isn't always the person who is most visible. Sometimes, an important decision-maker is working behind the scenes.
Recognizing those dynamics is part of understanding the people behind the operation.
Learning to Lead by Doing
One of the experiences Taylor credits with building her leadership skills came during her time at Iowa State University.
Through the Iowa State Beef Sales Team, students helped organize and run a cattle sale through the university's beef teaching farm. Taylor applied for the opportunity and was selected as one of the sale's co-chairs.
The responsibility involved much more than preparing for sale day. Students helped manage cattle, organize committees, prepare the sale catalog and make decisions that affected the entire event.
One of the biggest lessons came from doing the work alongside her peers—even the less glamorous jobs.
When it came time to prepare cattle in the middle of winter, Taylor wasn't simply assigning tasks. She was out there working alongside everyone else.
That experience taught her that leadership isn't just about telling people what needs to be done. It's about being willing to do the work, making the experience enjoyable and helping others take ownership of their responsibilities.
Her advice to young professionals stepping into leadership is to be patient and give themselves grace. Growth takes time, and working with people won't always be easy.
The Power of Mentorship: Seeing Potential in Others
Taylor's leadership journey was also shaped by people who recognized her potential before she fully recognized it herself.
At Iowa State, mentor Marshall Rubel encouraged her to try new things and take on opportunities that pushed her beyond what felt comfortable.
Later in her career, mentors within her company continued to provide guidance as she navigated new responsibilities and challenges.
Taylor specifically reflects on the value of having someone who will listen, offer perspective and encourage you when you're nervous to take the next step.
Those experiences helped her understand that mentorship isn't just about receiving advice. It's about having someone who believes you can do more and encourages you to find out what you're capable of.
She also encourages young professionals to lean on their teammates and leadership, ask good questions and use the experience of the people around them as a resource.
Communication Across Different Personalities and Generations
Working with people means learning how to communicate with different personalities. For Taylor, one particularly valuable experience was a training program called The Versatile Salesperson.
The training helped her understand how to adjust her communication style to better connect with the people she's working with.
Rather than expecting everyone to communicate the same way, she learned to recognize different preferences and adapt her approach.
That lesson also carries into conversations about generational differences in the workplace.
Taylor shares a lighthearted example involving a simple text message: the difference between receiving "K," "OK" or "OKAY." What might seem like a quick, efficient response to one person could feel very different to someone else.
The bigger point is that communication isn't just about what we say. It's also about how the other person receives it.
Understanding those differences can help teams work better together, build trust and create stronger relationships across generations.
Finding Purpose in Helping Dairy Producers Succeed
When Taylor talks about what motivates her, she comes back to people.
Knowing that she has helped someone, built a meaningful relationship or connected a producer with something that makes their farm more successful is what makes the work rewarding.
That purpose carries through EA Risk's continued focus on risk management and financial services for dairy producers.
As the company evolves, Taylor sees an opportunity to keep finding ways to better serve farms and provide solutions that help producers manage risk.
For her, the work is ultimately about helping people make good decisions and supporting the businesses that keep agriculture moving forward.
The Uplevel Challenge: Be the Mentor Someone Else Needs
Taylor's story is a reminder that leadership doesn't happen all at once. It develops through experiences, relationships, challenges and the willingness to take opportunities that may feel uncomfortable at first.
The people who encourage us, challenge us and recognize our potential can make a lasting difference in our careers.
The Uplevel challenge from this conversation is simple: Think about the people and experiences that have helped shape you. Who saw something in you before you saw it in yourself? Who encouraged you to step outside your comfort zone?
Take a moment to thank that person—or better yet, look for an opportunity to be that person for someone else.
Because strong leadership isn't just about communicating well. It's about listening, adapting and recognizing potential in the people around us.
Listen to the full conversation with Taylor Novak of EA Risk on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast for more lessons on mentorship, communication and growing as a leader in agriculture on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.
