Quick Look: Hunters and Farmers Pursue Value Differently
This is an abbreviated version of “Hunters and Farmers Pursue Value Differently”. Leaders often talk about building the right team for the job. This guide explains four useful leadership styles—Scouts, Hunters, Gardeners, and Farmers—and when each one helps most.
The Two Big Questions
We can place leaders on two big question lines:
Are they looking for new value or improving what already exists? (exploration vs. optimization)
Do they follow strict plans or adapt as they go? (systematic vs. adaptive)
When we cross these questions, we get four styles.
Scouts: Careful Explorers
live in the quadrant for exploration + systematic
gather facts, map the situation, and plan the next steps
great for research, strategy, and reducing risk
may move slowly when fast action is needed
Hunters: Bold Opportunity Finders
live in the quadrant for exploration + adaptive
chase new ideas and jump on openings quickly
useful when the future is unclear and change is constant
can create confusion if the work needs stability and routine
Farmers: Reliable Optimizers
live in the quadrant for optimization + systematic
build strong systems and make results repeatable
shine when the job calls for consistency and efficiency
may resist change when the world shifts
Gardeners: Flexible Improvers
live in the quadrant for optimization + adaptive
keep daily work humming while making small, steady upgrades
great for leading teams through change without losing balance
may struggle when problems require strict rules or deep study
How These Styles Fit the Value Journey
Every new idea moves through common phases. Different styles lead best at each step:
Discovery (Hunters) – Spot the idea.
Validation (Scouts) – Check that the idea can work.
Scaling (Gardeners) – Grow the idea while staying flexible.
Optimization (Farmers) – Lock in reliable processes and quality.
If you use these styles too early or too late, progress can stall. For example, let Farmers lead discovery too soon and they may shut down bold ideas. Bring in Hunters too late and they may upset a stable system.
Matching Styles to the Organization’s Life Cycle
Organizations move through stages, much like people do. As they grow, the mix of leadership styles they need also changes.
1. Startup or Launch
Main styles: Hunters first, then Scouts
Hunters drive quick wins and early experiments. Once there is traction, Scouts add structure and research.
2. Growth
Main styles: Scouts first, then Gardeners
Scouts help pick the best paths forward. Gardeners build systems that can flex and keep up with demand.
3. Maturity
Main styles: Gardeners first, then Farmers
Gardeners maintain quality while tuning processes. Farmers then push for efficiency and reliability.
4. Renewal or Disruption
Main styles: Farmers first, then Hunters
Farmers notice when existing methods stop working. Hunters return to find the next big opportunity.
Why This Matters
When leaders match the right style to the moment, organizations create value faster and smarter. When the styles are misaligned, even strong teams can struggle. Understanding these four leadership types helps leaders choose the best mix of people for each challenge.