Three years ago, I walked a portion of the Camino de Santiago, a 118 km pilgrimage across Spain. What I thought would be a straightforward long-distance trek quickly turned into a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving. Aching muscles, blisters, unexpected detours, unpredictable weather, and the need to adjust my plans on the fly—it was a journey that tested my patience but reinforced an important truth:
No matter how much you plan, the real challenge is navigating the unexpected.
Supply chains are no different. It’s a world of constant change, shifting priorities, and unexpected disruptions. But after years of navigating the chaos, a few key lessons have stuck with me—lessons that shape how I lead, solve problems, and help companies stay ahead.
Here are three of the biggest ones:
1. Data is Powerful—But Judgment is Priceless
Early in my career, I leaned heavily on numbers. If the data said a supplier was reliable, I trusted it. Then, I watched a “high-performing” supplier miss critical shipments because the on-time delivery metric masked last-minute scrambles. That’s when I learned:
✅ Data is a starting point, not the full story.
✅ Patterns matter more than single metrics.
✅ Gut instinct, built on experience, is a competitive advantage.
2. Resilience Wins Over Cost Savings Every Time
Everyone loves a cost reduction—until a supply chain failure wipes out the savings. I have one experience that I always remember and use as a measure. Our company was looking at low-cost suppliers for our server chassis. We chased the lowest price, ignoring supplier risk—or worse, assuming we could easily mitigate it. When this supplier abruptly closed operations, the rush to recover costs far more than we ever saved. Add to that all the stress our team experienced trying to retrieve the tools and finished goods inventory from this supplier. Now, I always ask:
🔹 What’s the hidden cost of this decision?
🔹 Are we balancing cost with resilience?
🔹 What’s Plan B if this supplier, factory, or lane fails?
The best supply chains aren’t just cost-efficient, they’re built to survive.
3. Tough Conversations Separate Good Leaders from Great Ones
Pushing back on bad supplier terms, working with your customers to find solutions to their delivery timeline requirements, or explaining to leadership why the current strategy needs improvement—these moments define leadership. I’ve learned:
🔸 Lead with solutions, not just problems.
🔸 Anticipate resistance and address it upfront.
🔸 Frame conversations around shared goals, not conflicts.
The best supply chain professionals aren’t just great problem solvers. They’re great communicators!
Supply chain teaches you to think fast, plan, and expect the unexpected. These lessons have shaped my career, what about yours? What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned while working in supply chain? Share in the comments below.
