Episode 126
How Belief Shapes Leadership and Drives Success in Electronics Industry
What Belief Can Teach Us About Leadership
Join host Sannah Vinding for this episode with Bruce Kellar, Senior Vice President of Sales at Sager Electronics. With a career spanning more than four decades, Bruce has seen the electronics industry evolve from the early days of GPS and Bluetooth to today’s AI-driven world. Through it all, one principle has guided his leadership: belief.
Bruce shares how belief connects strategy and execution, how communication and listening build trust, and why adaptability and integrity matter most when leading teams through disruption. He also tells a powerful personal story about accountability that shaped how he leads and mentors others today.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- Belief Builds Success: Why belief is the bridge between strategy and results.
- Leading Through Change: How communication and adaptability help teams thrive.
- Integrity in Action: The leadership story that left a lasting impact on Bruce’s career.
If you want actionable insights on leadership, trust, and leading teams through industry change, this episode is filled with lessons you can apply right away.
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“You can hand people a strategy, but if they don’t believe in it, it’s never going to work.”
Key takeaways
Belief Builds Momentum
When teams truly believe in the mission and the strategy, they perform with purpose. Belief turns plans into action and creates the trust needed to achieve long-term success.
Communication Creates Connection
Clear, consistent communication and taking time to really listen builds stronger relationships, fosters collaboration, and helps teams stay aligned through change.
Integrity Outlasts Disruption
In an industry defined by constant evolution, integrity and adaptability are the anchors of great leadership. Doing the right thing earns lasting respect and drives sustainable results.
“I think it’s so important to remember that leadership isn’t just about having the answers, it’s about creating space for people to believe and grow.”
“Don’t overreact when things change, take time to understand, make a plan, and communicate it clearly so your team has confidence in the direction.”
Show Notes
In this episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding sits down with Bruce Kellar, Senior Vice President of Sales at Sager Electronics, to discuss what four decades in the electronics industry have taught him about leadership, belief, and building trust.
Bruce shares how belief becomes the bridge between strategy and success — and why communication, adaptability, and integrity are the keys to leading through change. From the early days of GPS and Bluetooth to the rise of AI, he’s seen the industry evolve and led teams through every shift along the way.
The conversation dives into what it takes to build belief across teams, how listening and communication strengthen trust, and why doing the right thing always pays off in leadership. Bruce also shares a powerful story from early in his career that shaped his view on accountability and what it means to lead with integrity.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How belief connects strategy, trust, and performance
- Why clear communication builds stronger teams
- How to lead with integrity and adaptability through disruption
- What it means to motivate people who truly believe in the mission
- Why mentorship and consistency create long-term success
This episode offers practical, hard-earned lessons for leaders in electronics, manufacturing, and distribution who want to inspire belief, lead through uncertainty, and drive meaningful results.
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Guest
Bruce Kellar
Senior Vice President Sales at Sager Electronics
Bruce Kellar is Senior Vice President of Sales at Sager Electronics, based in Orange County, California. Over nearly three decades with Sager, he has led national sales strategy, scaled high-performing teams, and driven sustained revenue growth across distribution, OEM, and EMS channels. Appointed SVP in 2016, Bruce is known for combining disciplined sales execution with collaborative manufacturer partnerships, resulting in record gains and multiple supplier recognitions.
Bruce joined Sager in 1996 as Vice President of Sales after 18 years with Acacia, bringing deep industry knowledge and a customer-first mindset. He excels in sales management, new business development, and long-term account expansion, and is widely respected for building “well-oiled” organizations that deliver consistent results. Colleagues and partners highlight his clear performance standards, fair negotiation style, and commitment to joint planning that accelerates market share.
Actively engaged in the electronics distribution community, Bruce maintains strong relationships across the ecosystem and contributes to industry groups and newsletters. With 500+ professional connections, he continues to mentor teams, strengthen supplier programs, and champion data-driven selling to help customers and partners win in a competitive components market.
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Sager Electronics is a leading North American distributor of Interconnect, Power, and Electromechanical products, and a trusted provider of custom solutions. With more than 135 years of innovation and service, Sager connects technology and people through its Distributing Confidence business model, combining operational excellence, engineering expertise, and a nationwide network of distribution and service centers.
Learn more about how Sager Electronics delivers quality components and solutions at sager.com
This episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast is sponsored by Sager Electronics.
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