Principle of the Week: Be the Voice When Others Can't

For over a month, I’ve been hearing stories coming out of. Northwest Arkansas about farmers losing their contracts with Tyson. I didn’t fully understand the issue, but I knew someone who did.

So I reached out to Heather Keenen. She owns her own real estate firm in Northwest Arkansas and is also a longtime cattle and poultry farmer. She has been vocal about the fight between Oklahoma and the poultry industry, but more importantly, she has been a voice for the farmers.

She has stood up for those most affected by political jockeying and judicial strong-arming — the farmers. The greatest entrepreneurs in the world. The ones who wake up early, work all day, and never take a vacation. Because if they do, someone in the world might not eat that day.

What a powerful purpose.

As we talked, you could hear Heather’s passion. All these farmers want is to be left alone to work their land and leave a legacy to their children and grandchildren.

The courage to speak truth is a rare trait in today’s world. Being a voice for others who do not have one is one of the most honorable acts a person can do. It gives struggling people hope — hope to keep working, hope to keep fighting, hope that tomorrow will be better, hope that they will win.

Maybe the odds are stacked against you. Maybe the mountain is too steep.

But this country was built on long shots. It was built on a few men having the courage to speak truth to the most powerful king in the world. It took courage and leadership to wage a war no one thought they could win.

Now, 250 years later, we look at those men with admiration. Their pictures hang in our buildings because they gave us hope, strength, courage, and purpose.

I don’t know what will come of the issue in Northwest Arkansas or whether the farmers will have their contracts restored. But I do know this: people like Heather will keep fighting and speaking the truth.

And if I know anything about farmers, it’s this —

They never give up.

Be Principled,

Caleb

1 comment

The Principled Entrepreneur

skool.com/the-principled-entrepreneur-2834

Entrepreneurship with Integrity

Leaderboard (30-day)