The Power of Patience

Learning what you really need to know about being a complete supply chain professional takes time, effort, and no small amount of patience.

By Rick Blasgen -- Supply Chain Management Review, 4/1/2007

A huge challenge facing supply chain professionals today is the need to develop more patience. We must learn to acquire the patience necessary to gain an understanding of how much our profession has advanced over the years—and what this means to us and our companies.

Think about the evolution of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, CSCMP. Our organization began as the National Council of Physical Distribution Management (NCPDM). Then, it was renamed the Council of Logistics Management (CLM), and, more recently, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. Our association’s name has evolved—as has its purpose—to better reflect the changes that have occurred within our industry. Foremost among these are the tremendous advances of supply chain management in the business world and the recognition that this business discipline has received worldwide.

As supply chain management professionals, we are in a position to affect our company’s bottom line as never before. Global business leaders have discovered that effectively managing their supply chains is the way to stay competitive. Progressive CEOs and forward-thinking boards of directors have made supply chain management a core competency within their companies. In short, today’s successful business leaders are becoming supply chain savvy.

If you’re starting out in the profession, keep in mind that patience is a virtue. Remember: your career isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. You have to pace yourself.

Successful leaders need to take the time to thoroughly learn about the profession—not only from the bottom up, but from every angle possible. If you aspire to be a leader, you have to work broadly within the supply chain.

Working in different areas and with other departments will give you a thorough understanding of what it takes to successfully collaborate with team members for the good of the organization and its employees. Yes, it may take some time, but the ability to create and sustain collaborative relationships inside your company, as well as with key external supply chain participants, will be crucial to your career as a leader. It will also add to the value that you bring to your company.

And that’s where CSCMP comes in. We provide our members with the expertise and the knowledge to help them create efficient, effective supply chains so that their organizations can successfully compete into the 21st century. CSCMP can help you turn your challenges into opportunities. Our programs, our publications, our worldwide round-tables and annual conference, and other member benefits can help you to simultaneously develop your technical, managerial, and leadership skills while honing your interpersonal skills within and around the supply chain.