Leading Through Uncertainty
Industrial Leadership at the Crossroads of Permanent Disruption
5 min read
As the supply chain to the world, the industrial sector is experiencing volatility at a scale not seen in decades. Leaders are being forced to rethink, reinvent and rebuild, often all at once.
Spanning energy, manufacturing, infrastructure and everything in between, the sector now operates under intense geopolitical and operational pressure. Each leadership decision impacts a deeply interconnected ecosystem.
To succeed in this environment, leaders must combine strategic foresight with operational agility, adapting at pace while remaining anchored in long-term purpose.
As part of our Leading Through Uncertainty series, Kate Burns, Chief Operating Officer at Odgers, joined Clare Glackin, Head of our Industrial Practice in Europe, Middle East and Africa, to explore how leaders are navigating global volatility and what it will take to thrive in the years ahead.
Watch now:
The New Normal: Constant, Compounded Uncertainty
Uncertainty is now permanent. Supply chains and geopolitics evolve daily, reshaping business models at speed. Some organizations are adapting decisively, others are being left behind.
Those who invested early in scenario planning, organizational agility and leadership quality are now the ones demonstrating momentum,” commented Clare.
The past decade’s globally integrated operating models no longer guarantee resilience. Organizations are searching for new ways to operate in today’s fast changing context. During the era of globalisation, multi-nationals have thrived with two quite contrasting operating models; either a clearly defined matrix structure or a decentralized reporting structure with smaller regionally autonomous business units. Both models are being questioned, as neither guarantee resilience.
Whatever the model, leaders of the organizations which are continuing to thrive are all doing the same thing. They are listening to their customers, maintaining a high trust culture at the top with clear accountability and alignment of their organizational capability with market trends,” added Clare.
Agility Without Overcorrection
In a world of volatility, pace matters. But so does restraint.
Leaders are under immense pressure to make fast decisions, manage risk and protect performance. The strongest among them stay calm, measured and deliberate, maintaining balance rather than overcorrecting.
Clare explained: “In the end, it always comes back to the leadership of the business, and that's where it will come down to the resilience of those leaders to have the right judgment and not to overcorrect.”
Where Experience Meets Aptitude
Industrial organizations vary dramatically, from global, integrated groups to decentralized models with autonomous local operations. With geopolitics now embedded into every decision, leadership requirements are shifting rapidly.
“Experience tells you what someone has done before,” said Clare. “Aptitude tells you whether they can do what comes next.”
“It's the fundamental aptitude of the leader, their strategic capability, their ability to align their organization and execute through people. That's the element that really matters. The right leaders can go from the boardroom to the shop floor, back to the boardroom, and everything in between.”
Some FTSE 100 organizations are even encouraging their COOs to step back, empower those closest to the market and operate through centres of excellence rather than tight control.
6 Tips for Today's Industrial Leaders
- Anchor your organization in strategic thinking and disciplined execution.
- Be people-centric and bring teams with you.
- Invest deeply in talent and leadership development across the business.
- Navigate complex stakeholder environments confidently through strategic influencing
- Demonstrate strong personal agility, knowing when to shift and when to stay the course.
- CEOs should prioritize coaching and mentorship. Leadership is lonely and so external perspective is invaluable.
Odgers’ global Industrial Practice partners with organizations navigating complexity, transformation and sustained uncertainty, helping them build the leadership capability required to thrive in a rapidly changing world. If you’re looking to strengthen your executive team or explore what exceptional industrial leadership could mean for your organisation’s future, our specialists are ready to support you.
Explore our ‘Leading Through Uncertainty’ collection here.
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