At exactly this time last week I was in Tasmania with 9 participants in the 2026/27 Beef Australia Graeme Acton Beef Connections Program. We travelled from the south east to the north west. Picture 9 curious leaders in Beef willing to challenge their thinking, discover new possibilities and identify ways to become better leaders and be better at what they do. Sure, we spent some time with beef producers and beef brands, but we also spent some time with leading edge businesses in innovation and met and heard about their drivers for change and the knowledge, skills and technology required. We were challenged to think beyond ourselves and to see what being in a time machine in 5 – 10 – 20 years could look like and what we need to start (or stop) doing today to get there.

What an amazing week! It was better than I expected and we went to places and met people that will go down as once in a life time experiences. – Jo Eady

So, today, I’m going to share some ways of gaining maximum return from an innovation tour like this or any well-designed training or development opportunity. In AusAg there is a lot of investment in international conferences, field visits and also study tours. This quick read will give you some insights into how to gain the most for yourself or for those you invest in.

Whether you’re visiting a farm, business, industry or community, the real value of a field trip isn’t what you see on the day. It’s what you do differently when you get home. It’s easy to be inspired by someone else’s ideas, impressed by their achievements or surprised by how they approach challenges. But inspiration without action rarely leads to change. So, how do you turn those observations into personal growth?

Here are five practical ways to make your next field trip count.

1. Be curious, not judgemental – Go with an open mind. Resist the temptation to compare everything with how you currently do things. Instead, ask questions, listen carefully and look for different perspectives. Ask yourself: What are they doing differently that I could learn from?

2. Identify your lightbulb moments – Pay attention to the ideas, conversations or experiences that make you stop and think. These are often the most valuable takeaways. Write them down before you forget them. Ask yourself: What surprised me? What challenged my thinking? What will I remember most?

3. Reflect on yourself – The best learning often comes from looking inward. Consider how the things you have observed relate to your own behaviours, leadership style, decisions and capabilities. Ask yourself: What does this experience tell me about myself? What could I do better?

4. Turn observations into actions – Don’t let your notes become a graveyard of good ideas! Choose one or two things you can realistically implement. They might be a new way of communicating, a different approach to problem-solving or a change in how you lead your team. Ask yourself: What is one thing I will start, stop or do differently?

5. Share your learning and stay accountable – Learning becomes more powerful when it is shared. Talk about your experience with colleagues, your team or a mentor. Explain what you discovered and what you intend to change. Ask someone to check in with you to see how you are progressing. Ask yourself: Who can help me turn this learning into lasting change?

A successful field trip isn’t measured by the kilometres travelled, the number of farms / businesses visited or how many photos you take. It’s measured by the new ideas you bring home, the assumptions you challenge and the changes you make as a result. Remember: You don’t have to change everything you do. Sometimes, one new idea, one different perspective or one small behavioural change can make a significant difference. The challenge is simple: Don’t just come home with a collection of observations. Come home with a commitment to do something differently.

Over to You

Do any of these resonate for you? Which ones are you likely to use? Can you schedule some time and work on some of these before you forget your last field trip or innovation tour? We have seen people leave field trips etc with friends for life, career progression they never thought possible, an amazing mentor, gratitude that they pushed themselves out of their comfort zone and even some that say it was a life changing experience. I want the same for you. Please take one or two or maybe even three things from this article and put them in place today. Good luck. And please feel free to reach out to me here if you think I can help in any way.