The Glue

Some of the most valuable people in any organization do not fit neatly into a job description. They’re the ones who can step into multiple roles when needed - translate strategy into execution - jump from ops to finance to customer conversations - see how one decision has impact upstream and downstream.

They are the glue. Not because they’re doing everyone else’s job - but because they understand how the pieces fit together. They see what others do not.

In fast-moving organizations, especially in supply chain and operations, this versatility is a force multiplier - problems get solved faster - silos break down - teams stay aligned when things get messy.

These people often don’t get the spotlight. Their work shows up as things just working. The best leaders recognize and protect them. The smartest organizations intentionally develop more of them. Because when growth accelerates or disruption hits, it’s the glue players who keep everything from coming apart.