What the Iowa State Fair Can Teach Us About Leadership
Did you know the Iowa State Fair is consistently ranked among the Top 10 State Fairs in the United States? In fact, one ranking placed it #2, while another ranked it #3. Years ago, I even read that attending the Iowa State Fair was one of the Top 10 Things to Do Before You Die.
As an Iowan, I have to admit—that makes me smile.
Like many traditions, it's easy to take the Iowa State Fair for granted. Yet every August, nearly a million people gather to celebrate agriculture, innovation, entertainment, food, competition, and community. It's a place where hard work is recognized, new ideas are introduced, and memories are made.
It also reminds me of leadership.
Every year I look forward to visiting some of my favorite places at the fair. I always stop by the Varied Industries Building to sample dessert-flavored coffees ( even though I'm not a coffee drinker!). I enjoy exploring the businesses and vendors under the Grandstand, seeing the famous Butter Cow and the new butter sculpture, listening to live music (Friday night, 8/21 @ 8:00 PM Not Quite Brothers will be playing on the MidAmerican Energy Stage), watching the radio broadcasts, and, of course, sampling a few fair foods.
One of my favorite traditions is watching the excitement around the Best New Food Contest. Each year, dozens of creative food entries compete for recognition. The list is narrowed to finalists, judges select the top three, and then fairgoers cast their votes before a winner is announced.
While it's fun to see which food earns the title, it reminds me of an important leadership lesson.
Winning isn't always taking home the blue ribbon. Sometimes it's having the courage to enter the competition in the first place.
Leadership is much the same.
Every day we're presented with new ideas, new strategies, new books to read, new podcasts to listen to, new technologies to explore, and new ways to improve ourselves and our organizations.
The possibilities are exciting—but they can also be overwhelming.
Have you ever attended a conference, filled pages of notes, and left determined to change everything... only to find yourself doing very little because there were simply too many ideas competing for your attention?
I've been there.
Today, I approach growth differently.
I still take plenty of notes, but I also keep a dedicated Action List. After an event, I write down every idea worth considering. Then I narrow that list to my Top 10.
From there, I ask myself:
Which three will have the greatest impact?
Which one can I begin this week?
What can wait until later?
Once I've identified my priorities, I schedule them on my calendar.
I've discovered that focusing on one meaningful improvement at a time produces far better results than trying to tackle everything at once.
Just because an idea is exciting doesn't mean it needs your attention today.
As leaders, one of our greatest responsibilities is deciding what deserves our focus right now.
A Mid-Year Leadership Check-In
As we continue through the year, consider these questions:
What are the ten most important actions that will help you reach your goals?
Which three deserve your immediate attention?
Which one will you commit to completing first?
Here are a few ideas that are currently on my own action list:
Create a prioritized daily to-do list.
Tackle the most challenging task first.
Time-block email and phone calls.
Spend at least 15 minutes each day on a project I've been avoiding.
Exercise for at least 20 minutes a day, four days a week.
Listen to one leadership podcast each week.
Identify one meaningful goal to complete before November.
I've also been experimenting with scheduling only about 60% of my workday. Inevitably, projects take longer than expected or unexpected opportunities and interruptions arise. Scheduling less and building this time into my schedule has helped me become more productive—and a little less stressed.
One final thought...
Just because something is the biggest attraction at the fair doesn't make it the most important. The same is true in leadership. Sometimes the smallest change in your habits, mindset, or daily routine creates the greatest long-term impact on your productivity and mindset.
As you enjoy the final weeks of summer, I encourage you to celebrate what you've accomplished, choose one meaningful improvement, and take the next step forward.
Because leadership isn't about doing everything.
It's about doing the right things for you—one intentional step at a time.
"The State Fair celebrates what people create with their hands. Leadership celebrates what people create in the hearts and lives of others."
If you're looking to strengthen your leaders, improve communication, or inspire your team through a keynote, workshop, or coaching, I'd love to partner with you. Together, we can help create the kind of leadership that leaves a lasting impact.
Check out the top 10 foods at the fair!
In case you’re interested in attending, the 2026 Iowa State Fair runs August 13th – 23rd.
You Got This! And I Have Your Back!
Ann
