CEO credits early Illinois farm work for leadership approach

John W. Mitchell, the president and CEO of the Global Electronics Association, recently reflected on how his childhood experience detasseling corn in western Illinois continues to influence his professional management style. Writing in Fast Company on Nov. 2, 2026, Mitchell noted that the lessons learned from his first job remain relevant when he addresses complex industry challenges.

Mitchell began working in the cornfields at age 11, often starting his shifts at 5:30 a.m. and working for 10 to 12 hours at a time for $1.50 per hour. He described the labor as a Herculean task that required persistence and a focus on incremental progress to complete the work.

The executive draws a direct parallel between the repetitive nature of that early labor and the large-scale objectives he currently manages, such as trade policy and technical standardization. He explained that he learned to break down overwhelming goals into manageable steps, a strategy he refers to as taking things one tassel at a time.

This approach was applied during the development of the Connected Factory Exchange standard, an initiative designed to reduce time and costs for electronics manufacturers. Mitchell stated that by focusing on the next immediate task, he is able to navigate complex professional obstacles, emphasizing that the discipline required in the field continues to shape his perspective on work.