Meet the Mentors - Patti Durand

Our next meet the mentor post is for Women in Ag mentor and former CONNECT - The Heart of the Farm speaker, Patti Durand!

1. What is the BEST mistake you have ever made in your career?

Once, while meeting with our accountant to go over our corporate financial statements, I asked to have a discussion about our corporate strategy and planning for the future. Our accountant looked at me and said, "No, this is not a planning meeting, this is a tax reporting meeting. I don't have capacity for that discussion right now - let's schedule that for November." She wasn't negating the importance of planning, but drawing to my attention that there are times when she wouldn't have capacity to be helpful in such a conversation. 

It was a great lesson, to remind me of the important of knowing and communicating the purpose of a meeting and considering the best time for the conversation, for all parties involved.


2. What have been your biggest “ah-ha” or learning moments throughout your career?

I often reflect on my misunderstanding of what a career path "should" look like. I have worked in a variety of capacities, including several entrepreneurial ventures. For many years I felt shame that I didn't stay in any roles for longer than a few years. I have since come to realize that I am well suited to "project" work. I am unafraid to step into uncertainty, assess the situation, figure out a good process or solution and then master that skill. Once I have mastered something, I am aware that it will only be a short time until I am "bored" and crave seeking a new challenge. This is not something to be ashamed of, but it is actually a "super-power" for the organizations and people I work with. Not every person is well suited to doing the same work for long periods of time and that's OK. 


3. What external organizations have you been involved with that helped build success for
you?

  • Canadian Association of Farm Advisor

  • 4H

  • Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce

  • Family Enterprise Canada


4. What is your main tool in managing life while cultivating your career?

I think of my life having "circles of priority". In the centre circle is my marriage relationship & faith, then the next ring is my children - these are the non-negotiable centre rings that cannot be compromised in the long term by other commitments. My community, extended family and my work are in outer rings. At different times of my life the order of these rings has shifted or swapped depending on my availability and needs. 

Ultimately, I use this visual to help me make decisions - if my husband or children will be impacted by a choice of job, volunteer commitment or request, then I am much more careful and hesitant to commit. I'll choose to turn down an opportunity if it threatens the core.


5. Do you have any advice or words of wisdom you would like to offer Saskatchewan Women in Ag members? Consider: some members are just entering the workforce, others have been working for 5 years and there are also those who are 10+ years into their careers.

There is no such thing as wasted learning or education, but it doesn't have to be formal to be valuable. Stretch your brain whenever you can: take a course, watch a how-to video, read an insightful book or be curious with someone you wouldn't normally associate with. Human's lifelong neuroplasticity is a gift that shouldn't be wasted.


6. Do you have any recommendations for books or podcast episodes you feel would be
beneficial for our members?

  • Podcasts:

    • TED Talks Daily

    • The Hidden Brain - Shankar Vedanta

  • Books:

    • Grit - Angela Duckworth

    • Atomic Habits - James Clear

    • Start With Why - Simon Sinek

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