The podcast agency Mission Matters distributes the podcast Growing Our Future

John Sharp was Chancellor of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas for over a decade. His journey began at Bloomington High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) program, which grounded him on fundamental principles that gave him the confidence to lead today. High responsibility, overcoming the fear of public speaking and recovering from failure are the factors Sharp sees as crucial for the next generation of leaders and innovators in agronomy. “The responsibility I have gained from attending the FFA is worth its weight in gold… because of the responsibility and it (FFA) is maybe the only place they are [Students] learn this responsibility,” emphasized Sharp. With these responsibilities come ups and downs. “You learn from your mistakes. Sometimes failures are more important than victories,” he said with conviction.

Overcoming his fear of public speaking at a young age has built his reputation and legacy in his field. “One of the great things I remember was overcoming the fear of speaking to more than two people at a time and speaking in front of a crowd. It has been a liberating experience to be the chapter president and chair meetings, especially in the way the FFA conducts meetings. It was a big deal to me,” Sharp mused.

He also expressed that the benefit of learning to speak in public and the critical ability it has played in his career have been instrumental. “That fear was devastating to me … I asked Mr. Peters, my high school Ag teacher, if I really need to chair these meetings? I can’t imagine surviving this. People say that people’s biggest fear is public speaking, and that was really true for me,” he recalled. Everything in politics and in this job is about taking that hurdle. The FFA allowed me to do that,” he added.

Sharp’s legacy and contributions to the Texas A&M system are notable and include…