Key Elements to Optimizing Supply Chain Leadership for 2026 and Beyond

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton is joined by Paul Brooks, founder of Go Further Consulting, and Dave Food, Chief Strategy Officer at Prophetic Technology, to explore the evolving demands of supply chain leadership in today’s global economy. They discuss how the role has become more visible since the COVID-19 pandemic, why leadership fundamentals like judgment, communication, and resilience remain constant, and how AI and technology are reshaping the way leaders think and operate.

Paul shares insights from interviewing 50 global executives on servant leadership and values-based decision making. At the same time, Dave emphasizes the importance of T-shaped leaders who balance specialist expertise with a broad organizational perspective. Together, they highlight why empowering teams to experiment safely, aligning metrics across functions, and fostering collaboration with suppliers and customers are critical for long-term success. This conversation offers a clear roadmap for developing future-ready leaders who can navigate complexity and inspire high-performing teams.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(03:48) Core mantras and leadership philosophies

(07:23) Paul and Dave’s career journeys

(11:35) Challenges facing supply chain leadership today

(16:23) Why customer experience drives supply chains

(18:26) The bigger picture and process explained

(27:02) The role of the wider team

(28:38) Aligning KPIs with new CEO strategies

(29:29) Supply chain leadership in the boardroom

(31:51) Specialists versus generalists in supply chain

(36:02) Understanding the T-shaped leader concept

(42:39) Leadership mistakes to avoid in supply chains

(45:22) Future trends in supply chain leadership

(48:46) Projects and initiatives from Paul and Dave

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Paul Brooks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbrooksfcilt/
• Learn more about Go Further Consulting: http://www.gofurtherconsulting.co.uk/
• Learn more about Paul’s website: www.wordstoinspire.co.uk
• Connect with Dave Food: http://www.linkedin.com/in/davefood
• Learn more about Prophetic Technology: https://www.prophetic-technology.com/
• Connect with Scott Luton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• WEBINAR- Reengineering supply chain planning: How to get more bang for your buck in 2026- https://bit.ly/3VahMCQ
• WEBINAR- Optimizing End-to-End Logistics: Efficiency, Collaboration, and Innovation- https://bit.ly/4ml2TZh
• WEBINAR- Empowering Decision-Making in 2026 with Supply Chain Orchestration: https://bit.ly/3W7swlL

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/key-elements-optimizing-supply-chain-leadership-2026-beyond-1496

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