LeadAR Class 19 Spotlight: Mark Lambert

by Lisa Davis - May 12, 2021

Meet the next member of LeadAR Class 19. Mark Lambert works as the director of Commodity Activities and Economics at Arkansas Farm Bureau, an organization that works with farmers and ranchers in rural Arkansas.

He lives in Little Rock with his wife, Courtney, and their black lab, Bear. Growing up in Stuttgart has given Lambert a passion for the outdoors and rural life. Lambert enjoys the outdoors and spending time hunting and fishing.

Why did you apply to the LeadAR program? What motivated you? 
I applied for LeadAR to better prepare myself for leadership. There tends to be opportunities for professional growth in leadership opportunities. The networking aspect to be connected with others in the same industry that I am in also motivated me to apply.

What leadership quality do you admire most in others? Why?
The leaders that I admire the most are the ones that can walk into a room and instantly take the room over with their confidence on certain topics. Also, it makes them a well-respected leader whenever they talk to everyone and listen to them.

What are your top three ingredients necessary for success?
Determination, confidence, and passion

What are your top three ingredients necessary for happiness?
Living spontaneously, being thankful for the things you have, and playing with dogs

Describe your personal leadership style.
Leaning on others to help guide a way of thinking -- Democratic

What is something you hope to gain from your LeadAR experience?
A better understanding of a process of thinking about leadership. I also am wanting to gain a sense of getting involved and staying involved in communities and giving back to where I live.

How can effective leadership help move the state of Arkansas forward?
It can help by making Arkansas a more positive thinking state. I think that the citizens would move forward faster if they actually had an opinion on different aspects of the community. Getting involved and their opinions taken into consideration would help create positivity in communities.

You are stranded on a desert island. What are your three MUST HAVE items?
A knife, fishing line, and fire starter

What is something that was difficult for you six months ago but easy for you now? 
When the pandemic started, I thought it was the end of the world because I would be stuck inside my house forever. Looking back at it, I started exploring different places outdoors and started to appreciate what Arkansas had to offer in terms of outdoor recreation. I have also appreciated to adapt to technology and work through problems thinking about them in a different way to overcome any challenge there might be.