“Leadership in Communication” series
Case study #1 - Stu Reed, executive vice president, Integrated Supply Chain, Motorola
Straight-talking, regular kind of guy
Stu Reed, IABC 2007 EXCEL Award winner, is the executive vice president of Motorola’s Integrated Supply Chain (ISC)[1], which includes all customer fulfillment centers, logistics providers, manufacturing facilities and procurement. Because this is not an area you would traditionally look to for excellence in communication leadership, it is to his credit that Reed recognized that a solid communication plan was an essential component of lasting transformational change.
When Reed joined Motorola from IBM in 2005, he took up the challenge of helping to improve Motorola’s growth and profitability through its supply chain function. His charter: transform the four decentralized business-unit-specific supply chains into a single integrated organization that would seamlessly support the entire company. Specifically, he sought to engage and mobilize 36,000 employees and contractors—more than one-third of Motorola’s global workforce.
When he took on the job, Motorola was not included in AMR Research's Top 25 Supply Chain List. Seven months later, Motorola was ranked #15. Eighteen months later, Motorola moved up three spots to #12 on AMR 's 2007 list. While there is more work to do before Motorola can claim the #1 ranking, which is currently held by a competitor, it is clear that Reed and his team are intent on continuing the transformational change that is characteristic of all best-in-class supply chains, while continuing to recognize communication as a vital ingredient to success.
Leadership is a learning journey
According to Reed, leadership is a learning journey that has three dimensions: administrative leadership, operational leadership and transformational leadership. Each dimension has specific elements that equip a leader to create a vision, explain what it means to the organization and, ultimately, transform the organization into a best-in-class operation. Learning continues throughout each dimension.
“A good leader has the ability to articulate a compelling vision, inspire others to help achieve it and have fun in the process. In addition, a good leader acts with courage, keeps things in perspective and is impassioned about what he or she does. And of course, to be successful, every good leader knows that he or she must attract and retain talented people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.”
Stu Reed, executive vice president, Integrated Supply Chain, Motorola
One of the challenges was to convey the vision of the ISC senior leadership team to a diverse cultural mix of 36,000 employees and contractors located in 17 manufacturing facilities and distribution centers on four continents. The communication framework Reed’s team developed includes the top six priorities and four key behaviors aligned with Motorola’s companywide “i’MOTO” values.
“Aside from continually communicating the need for all four behaviors—straight talk, unbridled enthusiasm, righteous indignation and innovation—I work diligently to communicate in a ‘straight talk’ manner. We will not get to the next level unless we learn to communicate openly and directly. Using straight talk, we can eliminate excuses and create an environment where people are held accountable for their actions.”
Stu Reed, executive vice president, Integrated Supply Chain, Motorola
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Reed encourages his team to manage him. He prefers to lead in a way that complements and accelerates the intentions of his team. He believes in challenging and stretching people to reach their fullest potential while empowering them to make the tough, fact-based business decisions necessary to effectively and successfully run their business, organization or function.
Reed recruits and develops top talent, keeping diversity of gender and ethnicity on the agenda. He coaches and mentors ISC associates, and encourages his entire staff team to do the same.
“No one walks the talk like Stu. Every day he demonstrates the four key behaviors that guide the organization. When it comes to straight talk, he allows employees at every level to speak their minds without overreacting to negative feedback or news—this is truly impressive.”
Mobile Devices Supply Chain, ISC, vice president
Straight talk is a mark of respect
Reed believes that straight talk provides a means of showing respect for others by speaking to them candidly. Most important, he believes it should be used to instill accountability at every level of the organization. "Steal shamelessly, but legally" are the words he uses to describe how he learns from others. Not only does he take and apply best practices from others, but he also encourages everyone in the organization to do the same.
“Our number one priority throughout Motorola is to continue to execute with excellence, which will enable us to gain the credibility and confidence of both internal customers—in our businesses—and external customers."
Stu Reed, executive vice president, Integrated Supply Chain, Motorola
More to life than work
Reed finds time to volunteer and share his many talents by serving in meaningful ways within his neighborhood, the academic community and Motorola. Just a few of his many commitments to developing supply chain expertise at the highest technical and academic level include service on the board of the Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Leadership of the Digital Enterprise as well as serving as a thought leader of the Executive Advisory Board at the University of Wisconsin (UW) Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management. He also mentors at both MSU and UW in the school of business.
Reed has contributed time and effort to Habitat for Humanity projects and has served as a soccer and basketball coach for more than 20 years. He also serves as co-executive sponsor of Motorola’s Asian Business Council.
He believes in having fun on the job and is committed to modeling work-life balance.
“My family is my number one priority outside the office, so fun for me comes in the form of shuttling the kids to their sports activities, coaching their activities or relatively boring things like popcorn and a movie at home with the entire family.”
Stu Reed, executive vice president, Integrated Supply Chain, Motorola
[1] Since Stu Reed was named the IABC 2007 EXCEL Award winner he has transitioned from his previous role as executive vice president of Motorola’s Integrated Supply Chain to a new role as president of Motorola’s Mobile Devices business.
“Leadership in Communication” series – Table of Contents
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