Jim Schwartz: The Difference Between Success and Significance

Join our champion program: [email protected] a Thriving Leader event: https://thriving-leader-2026.lovable.app/Instagram: @the.momentum.companyLinkedIn: /momentum-companyIn this episode of The Intentional Agribusiness Leader, Mark sits down with Jim Schwartz, Director of Research, Agronomy, & PFR at Beck's Hybrids, for a conversation on leadership, innovation, culture, decision-making, and what really matters over the course of a career.With more than four decades in agriculture, Jim has seen industries evolve, technologies emerge, and business models come and go. Through it all, one principle has remained constant:Begin with the end in mind.Drawing from Stephen Covey's timeless leadership philosophy, Jim believes intentional leaders don't drift through decisions. They take the time to understand what they're trying to accomplish and align their actions with a larger purpose and long-term vision.One of the most powerful themes throughout the conversation is this:There's a difference between making great decisions and getting great outcomes.A good outcome doesn't always mean a good decision was made.And a great decision doesn't always produce immediate results.The challenge for leaders is to focus on the quality of the decision rather than becoming overly attached to the outcome. Over time, good decisions compound into meaningful results.The conversation also explores Jim's entrepreneurial journey as one of the founders of iCorn, one of the first internet-based seed companies. Long before e-commerce became mainstream, Jim and his partners challenged industry norms and built a business around a completely different approach to selling seed.Looking back, Jim believes they weren't wrong.They were simply early.The experience reinforced an important lesson:Sometimes innovation isn't ahead of the market because it's a bad idea. It's ahead of the market because the world hasn't caught up yet.Another major topic is leadership and culture.As the leader of research, agronomy, and Practical Farm Research at Beck's, Jim believes culture is built intentionally—not accidentally.It starts with hiring the right people, but it grows through:Consistent communicationCoaching and accountabilityReinforcement of valuesLeaders who model the behaviors they expectCulture isn't created by what's written on the wall.It's created by what leaders consistently reinforce.The discussion also dives into patience—a challenge many high performers know all too well.Jim shares a framework he uses with new employees:Year 1: Learn the jobYear 2: Master the jobYear 3: Make an impactIn an industry built on annual cycles, meaningful growth takes time. Too many people expect immediate results before they've developed the experience necessary to create lasting impact.One of the most personal moments of the episode comes when Mark asks Jim about his biggest challenge.His answer?Himself.Jim openly discusses how impatience has been both one of his greatest strengths and one of his greatest weaknesses throughout his career.His willingness to move quickly has created opportunities, driven innovation, and fueled growth. But like many leaders, he's learned that self-awareness is often the key to sustaining success.The conversation eventually moves beyond business and into legacy.When asked about one of his biggest wins, Jim doesn't mention a title, promotion, or business achievement.Instead, he talks about coaching high school basketball.Years later, former players still call to invite him to weddings and major life events.For Jim, that's the real win.Because there's a difference between success and significance.Success is about you.Significance is about the impact you have on others.The episode closes with a challenge rooted in Jim's life verse and personal philosophy:Don't get caught in the whirlwind.Focus on what matters most.Keep the main thing the main thing.Because intentional leadership isn't about doing more.It's about focusing on what matters most.Listen if you are:Building a team or shaping organizational cultureNavigating leadership and decision-making challengesInterested in innovation and entrepreneurship in agricultureStruggling with patience or long-term thinkingLooking to build significance, not just successCommitted to becoming a more intentional leaderThe most meaningful measure of success isn't what you accomplish—it's who you impact.