By definition, when you generalize, you set yourself up for being proven wrong.

With that said, I read an article on a plane recently that stated the younger generation is disillusioned with the workplace, and its members are looking for career opportunities that give them purpose. The article stated middle-aged Americans are disillusioned, as well. They feel they did not make the right career choices and worry about the future. It continued to say many of the older generation are disillusioned because they feel they were, in essence, sold a bill of goods — that the career paths they were told to embark upon were dead-end trails. The article said all are united in their desire to find a better way and to find more meaning in their lives.

It was poorly written and equally depressing. I mention it because it made me think just how unique the cattle industry truly is. Ironically, I was on a plane heading to a leadership summit where I had the opportunity to listen to some of the greatest leaders in our nation. They had vastly different perspectives and backgrounds, but they all shared a belief in what they were doing. They weren’t just passionate; they were obsessed about what they were doing. They believed they could live in such a way to create a legacy, and they had faith — faith in God, faith in the goodness of people, and faith in their purpose and mission.

I’m not arguing that there isn’t a great deal of disillusionment in our world. There are a lot of data that would indicate that we are less optimistic about the future, that we are losing faith in our institutions and that people feel we are on the wrong track.

“Ranching isn’t a job. It’s a calling. It’s a way of life, and it becomes intertwined with one’s identity.” — Troy Marshall

The division that characterizes our country has crept into our industry, as well. I’m not going to be a Pollyanna and tell you we are immune from divisive leaders and purveyors of negativity. However, I will argue that the tenets of success are more the norm than the anomaly in our industry. Faith, family, friends and meaningful work may be on the decline nationwide, but they are common tenets in the cattle industry.

It is difficult to find a rancher who doesn’t embody the traits of great leaders: courage, tenacity and integrity. Ranchers focus on the things that are in their span of control. They execute consistently, and they have no doubts about their purpose or mission.

Ranching involves a lot of risk, and equal amounts of hard work and failure. Yet, those are not seen as impediments to either enjoyment or satisfaction. After all, ranchers understand it is the things you struggle to achieve that provide you with the most satisfaction.

No business has a healthier view of failure and risk. Failure is not a bad thing — if one learns from it. While it is prudent to mitigate risk, the fear of failure can’t be allowed to stop you from pursuing your goals. Risk is something you manage around; it is not something you can eliminate.

Ranching isn’t a job; it is a way of life, and one governed by a humble, servant attitude. A rancher has to provide for his/her family, take care of the animals and the land, and he/she must be flexible to adapt to the changes that the market and Mother Nature throw at them. Ranching isn’t a job. It’s a calling. It’s a way of life, and it becomes intertwined with one’s identity.

When the time comes, I may be living in a room in some center with not a cow to my name nor a horse to put my saddle on. But when someone asks me who I am or what I did, I’m certain I’ll give a simple answer, an answer that will need no explanation. When I say it, I know I will say it with pride, and I suspect most will nod with a touch of jealousy when I do.

I’m a rancher.

Editor’s note: Troy Marshall is director of commercial and industry relations for the American Angus Association. [Angus Media stock photo by Shauna Hermel.]

Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 16, No. 9-A