Opinion: Why I’m taking an Inception approach to succession

On the road to family farming succession, I’ve been channelling my inner Leonardo DiCaprio to forward my ideas onto my father. Not Wolf of Wall Street DiCaprio, although I’d love to jump in a Ferrari with Margot Robbie.

No, I’m talking DiCaprio from the 2010 hit Inception. In this film, our Leo must plant an alternative idea inside a business man’s mind, without him knowing. Making him believe it is his own, uninfluenced thought.

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In the past I’ve banged my head against many a brick wall, trying to put forward a case for an idea or change of direction on the farm. Some have been taken on board and others landed like a fart in an elevator.

A lot of energy can be wasted trying to persuade others of your ideas or decisions, and it can often end in animosity or the breakdown of relationships. Through the Inception model, I’ve been planting seeds in the old lad’s mind.

Leaving copies of Farmers Weekly on the kitchen table, open on a case study of paddock grazing. Slyly mentioning the farmers he looks up to who have purpose-built cattle handling facilities and not gates tied with string.

Yes, it’s a slightly Machiavellian strategy, but hopefully this subtle brainwashing will pay dividends further down the line.

Perhaps a hypnosis course would be a good investment for me? Whenever the old man suggests whitewashing the steading again, I could use the trigger word to change his mind.

There are few other industries like farming, where working with family is commonplace.

While working alongside my father and uncle is a blessing I know I’ll cherish in the future, the level of stress, complications from working together and succession issues make me question that cushty office job I jacked in.

I’m not alone in this predicament – there will be many a young farmer in a worse situation than me. My advice to them is to quietly take over the farm from the inside.

Getting access to the business’ purchasing power is a game-changer and can be done by various means. In my early 20s, convincing the old pair that it would make good sense for me to have a business debit card opened the door to a whole world of acquisition. Slicker electric fencing gear and tools all started turning up.

Right under their noses, grazing systems and workshops started changing. By being half-competent on a computer, a lot of the older generation will think of you as a technology wizard and start throwing paperwork at you.

While processing VAT returns and IACS forms is nobody’s idea of fun, it does provide opportunities to sink your teeth into the core of the business.

To the older reader here, help your young people out. Ask yourself what steps you are taking to smooth their succession road. The lack of up-to-date, clear wills and power of attorneys has huge consequences.

These can be some of the cheapest legal documents to procure, but they need to be done before you are six feet under.

Both young and old need to have a clear understanding of each other’s needs, with a need to feel empowered and move forward with life and business prospects.

Succession is a journey and although it can move at seemingly glacial speed, patience is key for those seeds of thought to grow and for you to reap the rewards.