Episode 132
How Leaders Stay Grounded During Disruption
Leadership Lessons for Staying Steady When Conditions Keep Changing
Episode summary
In Episode 132 of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding sits down with Bruce Kellar, Senior Vice President of Sales at Sager Electronics, for a timely bonus conversation on leadership during disruption.
This episode focuses on a reality every manufacturing and supply chain leader knows well. Disruption is unavoidable. Tariffs, global events, market volatility, and technology shifts rarely arrive with warning or clear solutions.
Bruce shares a steady, experience-based leadership approach shaped by decades in the electronics industry. Rather than reacting emotionally, he explains why leaders must slow down, educate themselves, build a plan, and communicate clearly to create confidence across teams. He also explains why adaptability and the willingness to pivot are essential leadership skills when conditions continue to change.
This episode is for leaders who want to lead with clarity, composure, and trust when the environment feels uncertain.
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You Will Learn
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How leaders should respond when disruption cannot be predicted
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Why overreacting creates risk for teams and customers
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How education and perspective lead to better decision
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Why communicating the why behind decisions builds confidence
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How adaptability and pivoting support long-term leadership success
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Key takeaways
Do Not Overreact When Disruption Hits
Disruption creates pressure to act quickly. Strong leaders resist the urge to react emotionally and instead focus on understanding the situation before making decisions.
“Don’t overreact when things change. Take time to understand what is really happening.”
Education Comes Before Action
Leaders build stronger plans when they gather information from customers, suppliers, and the broader market. Perspective reduces uncertainty and improves decision quality.
“The first step is educating yourself on all aspects of what’s going on.”
Communication Builds Confidence
Teams gain confidence when leaders explain not just what decisions are made, bCut why they are made. Clear communication enables teams to represent decisions consistently to customers and partners
“Communicate not just the decision, but what went behind the decision.”
Adaptability Is a Leadership Requirement
Plans must evolve as conditions change. Leaders who remain flexible and willing to pivot keep teams aligned even when disruption continues to shift.
“You have to be willing to pivot as things change.”
Why this matters
Disruption is no longer an exception in electronics manufacturing and supply chain. It is part of the operating environment.
Leadership success during uncertainty depends less on predicting change and more on how leaders respond to it. Composure, communication, and adaptability help teams stay focused, confident, and aligned even when conditions remain unclear.
This bonus episode reinforces a core leadership truth. Teams do not expect leaders to have all the answers. They expect clarity, honesty, and steady direction
“Disruption does not require leaders to have all the answers. It requires leaders who stay grounded, communicate clearly, and give their teams confidence in the direction forward.”
Episode highlights
Why Composure Matters More Than Speed
- Fast reactions often create confusion. Leaders who pause, assess, and communicate thoughtfully reduce risk and improve outcomes.
How Leaders Build Confidence During Uncertainty
- Confidence comes from clear plans, consistent communication, and leaders who explain their thinking, not just their decisions.
Why Pivoting Is a Strength, Not a Weakness
- Adaptability allows teams to respond to evolving conditions without losing alignment or trust.
What Leadership Looks Like When You Cannot Be Fully Prepared
- This episode shows how experienced leaders operate when disruption cannot be anticipated, but leadership still matters every day.
Practical Tip
When disruption hits, follow three steps:
- Pause and gather information
- Build a clear plan based on what you know
- Communicate both the decision and the reasoning
Revisit and adjust the plan as conditions change.
Consistency creates confidence.
Clarity reduces fear.
About the 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.
Who this episode is for
This episode is built for:
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- Manufacturing and electronics leaders navigating disruption
- Sales and operations leaders managing uncertainty
- Executives leading teams through market volatility
- Managers responsible for communication during change
- Anyone focused on steady, people-first leadership
What you will be able to do after listening
After listening to Episode 132, you will be able to:
- Respond to disruption without overreacting
- Communicate decisions with clarity and confidence
- Build trust during uncertainty
- Lead teams through change with composure
- Adapt plans as conditions continue to evolve
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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 bonus clip of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast is sponsored by Sager Electronics.
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