The Hardest Part About Leading in Supply Chain: People, Not Process
The Real Challenge of Leadership Leadership in supply chain isn’t about managing forklifts, inventory, or spreadsheets, it’s about people. And let’s be honest: people are the hardest part. Processes can be mapped, measured, and improved. People? They come with personalities, histories, and baggage. If you can’t handle that, leadership might not be the path for […]
The Real Cost of Poor Communication
In 20+ years on the warehouse floor, I’ve heard one complaint more than any other: “Communication needs to improve.” You’ll hear it in every facility, every meeting, every shift huddle. And with all the technology available, Slack, Teams and AI tools, why is this still such a problem? Because at the end of the day, […]
Leading From the Floor: Why Your Team Needs to See You
Walk through any warehouse or production floor and you’ll hear it: “They don’t even know what we go through.”“Leadership only shows up when something goes wrong.”“They’re always watching, from behind the glass.” I’ve seen both sides. I’ve been the associate on the dock and the leader in the meeting. And I can tell you this: […]
Creating Accountability Without Killing Morale
Accountability is critical in any operation, but the way it’s handled can either build a high-performing culture or destroy team morale. Too often, leaders think holding people accountable means micromanaging, calling people out publicly, or enforcing rules like a prison warden. That’s not leadership. That’s control. The best operations I’ve led or been part of […]
Top 5 Traits of Great Leaders
How to Stand Out and Lead From the Floor Up Most people think leadership is about barking orders and hitting numbers. But the truth is, great leaders inspire teams, solve real problems, and keep operations moving under pressure. After 20+ years in the game, here are the five traits I’ve seen in the best of […]
The Hard Truth About Burnout in Supply Chain Leadership
Let’s be real, burnout in supply chain leadership isn’t just common. It’s expected. It’s worn like a badge of honor in too many operations, where long hours, high pressure, and constant problem-solving are the norm. But here’s the thing: burnout doesn’t make you a better leader. It makes you less effective, less present, and eventually, […]
Leadership in Supply Chain
A lot of people working in the supply chain believe they have what it takes to lead. And truthfully, many of them can be developed into strong leaders. But I also believe it takes a special kind of person to thrive as a leader in this world. It’s not just about managing people, it’s about […]