JOHN QUINCY ADAMS ONCE WRO TE, “IF YOUR AC TIONS INSPIRE
others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are
a leader.” President Adams knew a thing or two about what it takes to be
a leader. Being able to inspire others to be their best is a key component
of effective leadership.
We are reminded this month about the importance of leadership as we
honor our annual class of Rainmakers. Each year, the advisory board of
DC VELOCITY selects a new group of Rainmakers—individuals who have
demonstrated outstanding leadership within our profession—from a
field of candidates nominated by readers and others within the industry.
To see this year’s selections, turn to P. 29.
As you can read in the interviews we conducted with
this year’s Rainmakers, they have several traits in common. Each has been a continual learner—never satisfied with past accomplishments, but always looking to
improve so that he or she is ready to take on the next
challenge. They are also willing to share their expertise
and experience, either as mentors for co-workers or as
participants in industry events. Many serve on boards
or in leadership positions at professional associations,
and they regularly share their knowledge as speakers.
As leaders, they set an example within their companies for others to follow and have mastered the art
of communication. Not only are they able to provide
clear direction to those they supervise, but they also
understand the value of listening to and learning from subordinates.
Good leaders also know their limits and rely on others on their teams
to fill the gaps. They get their hands dirty and are willing to get into the
trenches rather than just barking orders from the sidelines.
Interestingly, the value of leadership also came up in the report that
Senior Editor Ben Ames wrote on our joint study with ARC Advisory
Group on best practices in warehouse management and labor retention
(see P. 52). The report shows that many of the things that attract (and
help retain) good workers have to do with how well a facility is managed
and led. Companies that train their employees well, provide on-the-spot
feedback to workers, and follow best practices are more likely to hold onto
employees and keep them happy.
“Management matters! More than half the practices that contribute
to excellence are related to management techniques,” Steve Banker, vice
president of supply chain services at ARC, said in the report. “Good man-
agement is something that can be learned.”
It takes good leadership to have good management. Strive in your work
every day to be a leader worthy of the name.
bigpicture
Chief Editor
David Maloney
Chief Editor
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Karen Bachrach
Executive Editor - Features
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Mark Solomon
Executive Editor - News
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Martha Spizziri
Managing Editor - Digital
martha@dcvelocity.com
Ben Ames
Senior Editor
ben@dcvelocity.com
Toby Gooley
Senior Editor
tgooley@dcvelocity.com
Susan Lacefield
Editor at Large
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Steve Geary
Editor at Large
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Victoria Kickham
Contributing Editor
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Diane Rand
Associate Editor–Digital
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Jeff Thacker
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Columnists:
Clifford F. Lynch
Art van Bodegraven
Gary Master
Publisher
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Mitch Mac Donald
Group Editorial Director
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Peter Bradley
Editorial Director
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Jim Indelicato
Group Publisher
jindelicato@dcvelocity.com
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