Cynthia Mahoney

05/05/2026

Last week in Cobram, I ran one of my Farming Stronger workshops with farmers and agricultural service providers, some of whom are navigating pretty tough conditions. We had great conversations, discussed the reality of the challenges people are dealing with and the group learnt some useful tools to help them keep making good decisions even when under pressure.

It was very pleasing to read the evaluations and find that:
* Knowledge and skills jumped - consistently
* Satisfaction scores sat at the top end (a lot of 9s and 10s - yay!)
* And every single person said they’d recommend the workshop to others

When people are under pressure, they need space to think clearly. This workshop provides this along with tools to help people manage themselves and is somewhere for them to connect with others who really get it.

In agriculture, just as land, labour and capital can be limiting factors of production that act as output constraints, cognitive capacity acts as a performance constraint - a ceiling on how well everything else functions. Limiting factors cap what you can produce; cognitive capacity caps how well you can function while producing it.

As I bang on about incessently, when we're under sustained pressure, uncertainty and workload, our brains shift into a threat state. Decision-making narrows, reactivity goes up, clarity drops. So even with good strategy, good people, and good intentions - our performance gets capped.

What we were doing in that room was about people getting some of their thinking capacity back. And from there they'll get better conversations, better decisions, better outcomes. Their performance will be more sustainable.

Because if our brains are maxed out…that becomes our limiting factor.

If you’re working with growers or teams in high-pressure environments, this is worth paying attention to. You can invest in everything else but if people can’t think clearly, you won’t see the return on your capital, your strategy, or your effort.

I delivered this workshop on behalf of Victoria as part of the Victorian Government’s statewide Drought Support Package. Thanks also to Australian Consolidated Milk, the Goulburn Broken CMA and the Cobram and District Fruit Growers' Assocation for their support of the program. It takes a village!

It was also great to have Celia Hobbs from the Victorian Farmers Federation Making Our Farms Safer Program and Jeff Shannon Kelly Mathers and Russell Holman from Lactalis-Mainland Dairy joining us. Having service providers alongside farmers in the room builds shared perspectives and that leads to better conversations, stronger networks and more effective support. 🙂

23/04/2026

Farmers and service providers - if you've been thinking of coming to this free workshop in Cobram from 10.30-2.30 on Wed 29th April, but haven't quite gotten around yet to registering, there's still time! Places are filling fast though as we're getting closer to the date.

There's so much going on right now - fuel prices, urea, global uncertainty, seasonal conditions and more....and that affects the most important piece of technology in our business - ie our brain!

This workshop will give you practical tools to make sure you can keep making good decisions and stay on top of things even when the proverbial is hitting the fan.

You'll get to hang out with some good people, have a great lunch at the Cobram Pub, get off the farm or out of the office and spend some time off the treadmill and on yourself - essential for sustainable performance.

Bookings at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1564149

19/04/2026

This graph from Rimfire Resources says a lot! Women start their careers in agribusiness at close to equal representation. And then… we lose them.

It's not all at once but the trajectory is steady, as careers and age progress. So by the time we look at the 50+ bit of the graph, the gap is very hard to ignore - although I still hear many folks say...."But we have heaps of women in our industry" - do you though and if so, what's their demographic?

Women in mid-career and mid-life are so experienced, knowledgeable and capable. We understand the industry, the people and the systems.

And many of us are stepping back, burning out, or leaving. This isn't because we’re not good enough. It's because the way we work often doesn’t support women at that stage of life and leadership. And I think we need to ask ourselves some serious questions about our work systems and cultures - because we're losing a lot of talent unnecessarily.

According to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency's 2024–25 Gender Equality Scorecard (based on data from 8,239 employers covering more than 5 million Australian workers):

92% of managers in Australia work full-time, and just 7% work part-time.

WGEA connects this directly to what it calls the "ideal worker" stereotype - the assumption that senior roles require constant availablity. The message this sends, whether intended or not, is that leadership and flexibility don't mix. This isn't great for women or men but it especially impacts women.

And honestly I'm really over the messages to women that they need to be more confident, lean in, ask for more, do more. If a woman "leans in" and the system still doesn't flex - she's just pushing harder against a wall and that's exhausting.

The problem isn't women's ambition or capability. The problem is that the structure of work was not designed with us in mind. And until organisations get serious about flexibility, culture, and what good leadership actually looks like in 2026, we'll keep losing talented, experienced women who have so much still to give.

That’s why I created Cultivate You: Leadership, Your Way. It's a 6-month virtual leadership group coaching program for women 40+ .

It combines neuroscience-based leadership development, one-on-one and group coaching, reflection and practical action, with a small peer community of thoughtful women navigating mid-career and mid-life together.

The goal: to help them stay engaged, confident, and effective in their roles, without burning out.

Cultivate You isn't about teaching women to fit a broken system. It's about making sure they have the support, clarity and community to lead well and live well while that system catches up.

If you're seeing this in your organisation or industry, or thinking about how to better support and retain experienced women, I'd love to connect.

Our next cohort kicks off in July 2026. Happy to share more.
(Credit to Rimfire Resources for the data)

16/04/2026

Free Cobram Farming Stronger workshop for farmers and service providers
If you’re farming or working with farmers around Cobram, Numurkah, Nathalia, Yarrawonga or Shepparton… and things have felt a bit relentless lately, this is for you.

Long days. Constant decisions. Not much room for error.

And when you’re running tired, that’s when things start to slip.
Stress goes up. Energy drops. Decisions get harder.

This isn’t about working harder.
It’s about staying sharp when it matters most.

I’m running a free Farming Stronger workshop in Cobram on Wednesday 29 April.

We’ll cover practical, science-backed tools to help you:
• Think clearly under pressure
• Manage stress so it doesn’t cost you
• Keep your energy up through long days
• Lead yourself and your team more effectively

Simple, practical ideas you can take away and use straight away in your businesss and your life.

Bring a partner, family member, friend or a staff member along - it’s a great chance to connect, have a bit of fun, and get on the same page.

📍 Cobram Hotel
🕙 10:30am – 2:30pm (lunch provided)

This workshop is delivered as part of Agriculture Victoria’s Drought Support Package and is supported by ACM, Goulburn-Broken CMA and the Cobram and District Fruit Growers' Association.

If you want to stay on top of your game without burning out… grab a spot now.

👉 Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1564149

09/04/2026

Farming Stronger – Free Cobram Workshop
Farmers and service providers who can get to Cobram this workshop is for you! With seasonal pressure, rising input costs and global events pushing up the price of fuel and fertiliser, many farmers are making tough decisions every day.

When you're tired, stressed or under pressure, decision-making becomes harder - and that can impact you, the farm, the business and the people around you.

That’s why I’m running a free Farming Stronger workshop in Cobram to share practical tools farmers and service providers can use to stay clear-headed, manage pressure and keep performing even in challenging seasons.

In this practical session you'll learn how to:

✔ Make better decisions under pressure
✔ Avoid costly mistakes caused by stress
✔ Maintain energy during demanding seasons
✔ Strengthen relationships on farm
✔ Keep you and your farm business performing

📍 Cobram Hotel
📅 Wednesday 29 April
⏰ 10:00am – 2:30pm
🍽 Morning tea, lunch & tool kit provided

Grab a mate and come along - a family member, staff member, neighbour or friend. Participants often tell me one of the most valuable parts of this workshop is stepping back from the day-to-day and connecting with others facing the same challenges.

This is a free workshop supported by Agriculture Victoria’s Drought Support Package.

👉 Register here:
www.cynthiamahoney.com.au/events

If you know a farmer or rural service provider who could benefit, please tag them or share this post.

Learn & Thrive Want to cultivate your well-being and leadership skills? Keep an eye out for Cynthia’s workshops and seminars in your local area. Farming Stronger: Tools for Peak Performance Farming is more than just hard work, it’s about working smart to maintain peak performance, make sharper d...

31/03/2026

Stoked to be name checked in this list of 50 best leadership speakers for agriculture from the USA, Canada, Aust, India, and the UK - a handy guide from Jonno White WI-DG-TE for conference organisers including How to Choose the Right Leadership Speaker for Your Agriculture Event; What to Expect When You Book a Leadership Speaker for Agriculture; Pricing and Cost Guide for Agriculture Leadership Speakers; and FAQ's. https://www.consultclarity.org/post/50-best-leadership-speakers-for-agriculture-2026

This one was me - "Some highlights from the list:
Neuroscience-backed leadership development specifically designed for rural and regional leaders"

If you'd like to chat about me speaking at, or emceeing, your next event please get in touch.

The agriculture industry is facing a period of transformation unlike anything in its history. This guide brings together 50 of the best leadership speakers for agriculture in 2026.

18/03/2026

Every farmer knows what happens when the tractor runs out of fuel.
The whole operation stops.

But what happens when the farmer runs out of fuel?

Standing at the servo today looking at the fuel price board got me thinking about this.

Fuel is an obvious limiting factor of production on a farm. Without it you can’t sow, spray, harvest or move machinery.

But there’s another type of fuel that has just as much impact on the performance of a farm business - and we don’t talk about it nearly enough.

The farmer’s energy, focus and ability to think clearly under pressure.

When we’re stressed or exhausted, the brain literally doesn’t work as well. Decision-making becomes harder, mistakes are more likely and relationships can suffer.

That’s exactly why I created the Farming Stronger workshop.
I’m Cynthia Mahoney, an agricultural scientist, experienced facilitator and leadership coach who has spent nearly 30 years working with farmers and rural industries. My work focuses on helping people understand how they perform under pressure and how to get the best out of themselves and the people around them.

This practical workshop brings together insights from agriculture, neuroscience and performance science to help farmers and rural service providers:
• Sharpen decision-making during crucial moments
• Improve operational efficiency and productivity
• Manage stress to avoid costly mistakes
• Sustain energy levels for demanding work
• Build resilience for long-term farm and business success
• Lead teams more effectively and create a strong farm culture

Farmers are busy and don’t leave the farm for just anything - this workshop is practical, grounded and focused on tools you can actually use.

📍 Marong Community Hall (36 Torrens St)
📅 Tuesday 24 March
🕥 10:30am – 2:30pm
☕ Morning tea, lunch and notes provided

Thanks to support from the Victorian Government’s Drought Support Package, this workshop is free to attend, but places are limited.

If you're a farmer or service provider and you'd like some practical tools to help you stay sharp, manage pressure and keep performing, even in challenging seasons, I'd love to see you in Marong. Please feel free to share this with anyone who might benefit and bring osme mates along with you - its always good to have someone you can share the experience with - it might be a family member, friend or colleague.

For catering purposes it would be great if you could register your spot ASAP. Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1543831

17/03/2026

Every farmer knows what happens when the tractor runs out of fuel.
The whole operation stops.

But what happens when the farmer runs out of fuel?

Standing at the servo today looking at the fuel price board got me thinking about this.

Fuel is an obvious limiting factor of production on a farm. Without it you can’t sow, spray, harvest or move machinery.

But there’s another type of fuel that has just as much impact on the performance of a farm business - and we don’t talk about it nearly enough.

The farmer’s energy, focus and ability to think clearly under pressure.

When we’re stressed or exhausted, the brain literally doesn’t work as well. Decision-making becomes harder, mistakes are more likely and relationships can suffer.

That’s exactly why I created the Farming Stronger workshop.

I’m Cynthia Mahoney, an agricultural scientist, experienced facilitator and leadership coach who has spent nearly 30 years working with farmers and rural industries. My work focuses on helping people understand how they perform under pressure and how to get the best out of themselves and the people around them.

This practical workshop brings together insights from agriculture, neuroscience and performance science to help farmers and rural service providers:

• Sharpen decision-making during crucial moments
• Improve operational efficiency and productivity
• Manage stress to avoid costly mistakes
• Sustain energy levels for demanding work
• Build resilience for long-term farm and business success
• Lead teams more effectively and create a strong farm culture

Farmers are busy and don’t leave the farm for just anything - this workshop is practical, grounded and focused on tools you can actually use.

📍 Marong Community Hall (36 Torrens St)
📅 Tuesday 24 March
🕥 10:30am – 2:30pm
☕ Morning tea, lunch and notes provided

Thanks to support from the Victorian Government’s Drought Support Package, this workshop is free to attend, but places are limited.

If you're a farmer or service provider and you'd like some practical tools to help you stay sharp, manage pressure and keep performing, even in challenging seasons, I'd love to see you in Marong. Please feel free to share this with anyone who might benefit.

👉 Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1543831

10/03/2026

“I thought it would be bullsh*t… but it was actually not bad.”
- Farmer after attending my Maffra Farming Stronger workshop

If you’re sceptical about workshops, you’re not alone!

But farmers who’ve come along to my other Farming Stronger workshops say they were surprised by how practical, useful, uplifting and even enjoyable it was.

This free hands-on workshop brings together farmers and rural service providers to explore practical tools to:

✔ Stay clear-headed under pressure
✔ Make better decisions in tough seasons
✔ Manage workload and energy more sustainably
✔ Keep relationships strong on the farm

You’re welcome to come along with your partner, family members, staff or a friend from the district - often the best conversations happen when people from the same farm or community attend together.

Expect practical ideas, good conversation, a nice lunch and a few laughs along the way.

To book your spot go to: https://cynthiamahoney.com.au/events/

Delivered by Cynthia Mahoney on behalf of Agriculture Victoria as part of the Victorian Government’s Drought Support Package.
Supported by City of Greater Bendigo, North Central CMA and Mid-Loddon Sub Catchment Management Network.

HOpe to ee you and some friend

Learn & Thrive Want to cultivate your well-being and leadership skills? Keep an eye out for Cynthia’s workshops and seminars in your local area. Farming Stronger: Tools for Peak Performance Farming is more than just hard work, it’s about working smart to maintain peak performance, make sharper d...

10/03/2026

Great reflection from David Lawson here about one of the many reasons continues to be important- "In nearly 30 years in the workforce, I have had one female boss."

Thanks David for sharing your experience and thoughtful reflections.

03/03/2026

If we looked past your International Women's Day post what concrete evidence would we see that women are genuinely better off in your organisation or industry this year than last?

International Women’s Day is not Mother’s Day.

So this year, I would love to see fewer stock photos of smiling women and fewer posts that say, “Let’s celebrate and thank our women”, without much else behind them.

If you’re going to post about IWD, I’d genuinely love to hear about what you, your team, your business or your industry is actually doing to progress equality and equity and to "balance the scales".

I'd love to hear more about:
• What initiatives have you introduced to attract and retain women?
• How are you supporting women into leadership roles, not just entry-level participation?
• Have you conducted a pay equity audit and acted on what you found?
• How have you increased women’s participation in decision-making?
• What steps are you taking to reduce sexism, bias or structural barriers?
• What are your targets and how are you going with them?

And beyond that:
• Have you redesigned roles, rosters or career paths so women aren’t forced to choose between progression and caring responsibilities?
• Does flexible work actually exist at senior levels, or only in roles with a ceiling?
• Are senior leaders actively sponsoring women for stretch roles and opportunities, or just mentoring them
• What are you doing to invest in leadership development targeted at women at different career and life stages?
• Are managers trained to recognise and interrupt bias in meetings, hiring and performance reviews?
• Can women in your organisation disagree, challenge, or raise concerns without being labelled difficult, emotional or not a team player?
• For larger organisations, are you directing spend toward women-owned businesses?

And very important, are men actively involved in the work of gender equity, or is it still falling to women to fix the system?

I’m not saying don’t post the nice photos - I love seeing them! It's really important though that they are backed up with substance.

In 2026, can we move beyond token gestures to the actions, policies and initiatives that actually change women’s day-to-day experience at work?

If the honest answer is, “we don’t really know yet”, that’s is totally OK. One powerful starting point is to collect data.

Listen to women. Understand their lived experience across pay, progression, safety, flexibility and voice.

Then design responses that address what’s really happening, not what looks good externally.

The UN Women Australia theme for IWD 2026 is Balance the Scales. So along with the photos this year, please also tell us what you’re doing, what is needed and and what you’re willing to change to truly balance the scales for women and girls.