Former Tyson Foods and Foster Farms CEO Donnie Smith believes the key to exceptional performance in the poultry industry isn't traditional top-down management — it's servant leadership.
Speaking at the Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence Future of Arkansas Agriculture and Beyond speaker series, Smith contrasted two leadership models: the traditional pyramid structure where executives view themselves as superior to frontline workers, and what he calls the "peach tree" model, where leadership exists to support those doing the actual work.
"Far too many leaders inform their leadership style from the organizational structure," Smith explained. "They think because they're paid more and sit higher on the org chart, they're more valuable people."
This self-serving leadership style prevents executives from hiring top talent and ultimately diminishes results, Smith argued. By contrast, servant leaders focus on supporting their teams rather than protecting their positions.
During the talk, he shared how a servant leadership philosophy helped Tyson achieve record profitability. Smith worked at Tyson Foods for 36 years, serving as CEO from 2009 to 2017. After that, he joined Foster Farms as CEO from 2022 to 2024.
Six habits of effective leaders
Smith identified six daily habits of servant leaders, starting with being intentional. Leaders must focus ruthlessly on what matters, even if it offends others.
"If I took time to care about [the things that don’t matter], I wouldn't have time to care about the stuff I have to care about for us to accomplish the mission," he explained.
Accountability and responsibility go hand-in-hand. Leaders must hold people accountable, not let poor performance slide, Smith maintained.
"You're not being caring when you avoid accountability — you're being a coward, and you're hurting the team," he said. “It takes courage to hold someone accountable.”
Taking responsibility means owning outcomes completely.
"My life is my fault," Smith emphasized. "Whatever I did, I did it on purpose. I ain't blaming nobody but me for me."
Servant leaders lead from the middle, which means never acting superior to frontline workers. Smith spent a week monthly visiting facilities, sitting in cafeterias and talking with employees about their lives.
"Nobody at that table thought I thought I was better than them. Because I don't," he said.
Smith learned from Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy to demonstrate willingness to do any job in the organization. After watching Cathy pick up trash in a parking lot before a store tour, Smith understood the message: "These people will never ask me to do something that they're not willing to do."
Finally, surrounding yourself with thoroughbreds — hiring people smarter than you — accelerates success. Smart people do smart work, so leaders should give them resources and autonomy without micromanaging, he explained.
