5 Practices of a Successful Supply Chain Leader

Picture the manager or supervisor from any current or prior job that made a positive impact on you. What are their traits that stood out as being successful? How did they make you better professionally or even personally?

On the other hand, picture your least favorite and ineffective manager – usually, one who tends to micromanage has hypocritical tendencies, and only looks out for themselves. Everyone has experienced or is currently experiencing an individual like this. People leave managers, not companies.

Don’t settle on just being a manager – aim to be a leader. Here are a few practices of successful leaders.

1. Empathy

We tend to forget that we work with people, not robots. Managers tend to see the world in black, white, and numbers, including their employees. Leaders practice empathy and utilize their emotional intelligence to make decisions for their team. Empathy helps remind one what it’s like to be on the front lines and remain connected to your employees.

One of my favorite examples of an empathetic leader is NFL Head Coach Bruce Arians. Airans has notoriously shamed his coaches and players for missing family events in place of football. Yes, shamed for giving up family time for football. Arians practices empathy at the highest level – he acknowledges the faults in sacrificing personal time for his job as a staff coach.

Leaders understand that we’re emotional creatures and should be treated as humans and not just a number. Follow the golden rule – treat people how you would want to be treated. Put yourself in their shoes.

2. Direct Transparency

In my opinion, the most underutilized leadership practice – practicing with utmost transparency. Being straightforward and transparent with your team is how you build trust and confidence with your employees.

In the age of the internet and office gossip – usually, your employees will know what’s going on before you do. Being transparent helps share the big picture and vision you’re looking to accomplish.

3. Feedback

The great Jack Welch, known for shaping General Electric into a corporate powerhouse in the 90’s/the early 2000s, was quoted as saying, “If you are a leader and you are a manager, shame on you if people don’t know where they stand. You have a moral obligation leading people’s lives, talking about their future, and not telling them where they stand.” (CNBC; November 17, 2017).

PREACH it. Our team should know where they stand at any given time. Your employees shouldn’t only be receiving feedback come annual appraisal time.

4. Challenge the Process

How do we get better if we maintain the status quo? We see numerous businesses seemingly too big to fail, at one time, such as Sears, JCPenney, Kmart. What do they all have in common? They continued doing the same thing they’ve always done – they refused to adapt to the current times and keep their foot on the gas pedal. “Yes” men and women are the pitfall of management and cause corporations to crumble.

Leaders push the envelope and coach their employees to do the same. Don’t be afraid to disagree with your leadership and voice your opinion (along with a proposed solution), especially if this means you’re sticking up for your team.

If your opinion remains unheard, ask why. Discussion leads to change. Leaders should be asking for forgiveness, not permission.

5. Create a Team Focused Culture

As leaders, we face immense pressure to meet deadlines, maintaining service levels, and keeping our clients happy. Our front lines must know they’re supported.

Leaders create their own team culture and keep them looking out for each other’s best interests. Implement cross training, teambuilding activities, and focus on all the small things (thanks, Blink 182).

Examples such as writing thank you cards, bringing in donuts/pizza, and celebrating small wins go a long way. Leadership depends on our employees to be successful – keep them happy. Create your own culture that promotes collaboration, results, and where your team doesn’t dread coming into work each day.

Employees are our greatest asset. It should be instilled that we succeed as a team, and we fail as a team.

Are you a new leader looking to transition from a manager into a leader? Want to make a difference? Allyn International offers customized services for any Supply Chain needs. Reach out to sales@allynintl.com with any questions.

Contributor: Corey Hosch 

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References: 

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/17/former-ge-ceo-jack-welch-how-to-be-a-great-leader.html