How to Rally Your Team and Manage Through Crisis, From a Supply Chain Leader Who’s Done It

Clarissa Stubbs, senior inventory manager at XPO Logistics, spends her days keeping watch over an expansive supply chain operation. While it seems like mission impossible, Clarissa took the job because she feels supported and encouraged to grow. She loves seeing how that support, along with the “all for one and one for all” mentality of the company, helps her team succeed and grow, too. 

“What affects one of our team members affects us all, and we rally to each other’s aid whenever and wherever it’s needed,” she said.

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Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it an especially demanding time for a supply chain operation. It’s a time when the encouragement team members receive from each other is absolutely essential. Stubbs shared with Fairygodboss how XPO Logistics is supporting employees through the most challenging global health crisis of our time. Here’s what she had to say.

Tell me a bit about your current role. What are your priorities?

My current scope of responsibilities includes maintaining inventory accuracy and integrity for thousands of unique SKUs at over 80,000 locations. I also manage our transfers team, which ships roughly a million units monthly during our peak season.

How long have you been at XPO Logistics, and what about it first made you want to join?

I’ve been with XPO for 12 years. It’s a dynamic organization with a supportive culture that encourages growth.

How has your role changed or evolved during the pandemic? 

Due to staffing shortages, I’ve taken on additional responsibilities in other areas, including transfers and safety. 

What has XPO Logistics done to ensure frontline workers remain safe?

XPO has focused on maintaining a safe working environment by providing sanitizing wipes, disinfectant sprays, hand sanitizers and pre-entry temperature screenings. The company also ensures that the building is sprayed and sanitized weekly, and it’s been very forthcoming when a positive case has been identified.

Why is this type of work important to you personally?

I love seeing my team and the entire operation win, and I want to be a part of that success. The company is growing everywhere, so we need to cultivate our employees so their careers grow along with it.

What has been the biggest challenge for you as far as working in a supply chain amidst a pandemic?

Adequate staffing and maintaining a consistently strong workforce to meet demand has been our biggest challenge.

What resources or support has XPO Logistics offered you during the pandemic?

The company has secured more staffing agencies to fill open requisitions, offered monetary incentives and provided a pandemic PTO benefit for employees whose households are affected by COVID.

How is this support reflective of the overall culture at XPO?

It truly reflects the “OneXPO” vision that guides our company. What affects one of our team members affects us all, and we rally to each other’s aid whenever and wherever it’s needed.

What advice would you give to others in your industry as far as leading through a crisis?

Stay strong in your faith and seek help when you need it. Don’t be afraid to say, “Hey, I’m not OK, and I need help!” Do your best to be as supportive of one another as possible. We’re all working toward the same goal of beating the pandemic, and together we can accomplish it.

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