#86 | Breaking Barriers: Women in Agriculture and Mining

In episode 86 of the Agsolutely Fabulous Podcast, it’s part 2 of the live discussion with Katja and Gillian. In this episode, Katja explains navigating male-dominated workplaces by listening, reflecting others’ language, and using structured tools like strong chairs and timed speaking limits in boardrooms to ensure all voices are heard. The group critiques agriculture’s tendency to elect poor leaders who block new talent and rely on “fight” tactics with government, emphasizing that boardrooms should be gender neutral and that governance matters.

They discuss using DiSC/Myers-Briggs-style profiles to communicate in others’ “language” and how to motivate participation by framing it as business value. The conversation shifts to how appearance affects success only “to a point,” noting women receive conflicting judgments regardless of dress. They then address perimenopause/menopause, its early and insidious symptoms (brain fog, irritability, UTIs) and safety/family impacts in farming, and link it to succession stress, arguing succession should start early, be regularly reviewed, involve honest, age-appropriate family conversations, and consider business viability, fair pay, diversification, and vertical integration to support returning children.

Links & Resources

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Learn how to Get Involved with Landcare here: https://youtu.be/3s74Lvmlutk

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