Everywhere we look, we’re seeing headlines about change. Mergers, acquisitions, disruptive forces, shifting trade routes, automation, and more. They’re all happening, and they’re rarely predictable. Succeeding in this complex environment requires a new approach: one built on partnership, collaboration, and strategic thinking.
And a new approach requires new talent. With the right leadership in place, companies can unlock new avenues of growth, resilience, and operational excellence — even in the most established sectors of transportation, logistics, and supply chain.
The Domains of the Future
Analysts from PwC identified nine “domains” driving growth in the near future. Rather than siloing industries, this “domain thinking” highlights how cross-functional collaboration delivers real-world value. People don’t think in terms of “logistics,” “tech,” or “agriculture.” They think about getting what they need.
PwC’s nine domains are:
- Make
- Build
- Feed
- Care
- Move
- Fuel and Power
- Govern and Serve
- Fund and Insure
- Connect and Compute
For companies operating in the “Move” domain, from freight and 3PLs to warehousing and last mile, success depends on more than efficient operations. It requires integration with adjacent domains like “Make,” “Fuel and Power,” and “Connect and Compute.”
For example, the “Make” domain may involve energy providers, raw materials suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and digital platforms. When these players align, the result is a faster, more efficient, and more adaptive supply chain.
Why It Matters
This collaborative approach pays off. PwC’s research shows the top 20% of organizations capture more than 80% of profitable growth. The gap between leaders and followers is wide and growing. What does leadership look like in practice?
- Competing in tech: Upgrading outdated systems, implementing cloud-based supply chain platforms, and embracing AI for planning, forecasting, and routing.
- Choosing when to collaborate: Identifying strategic partnerships, building trust, and addressing gaps across the value chain.
- Uncovering data insights: Using real-time data to better understand performance, opportunities, and risks.
A New Outlook on Talent
Unlocking value across these domains requires more than operational know-how. Siloed experience isn’t enough. Today’s leaders need deep vertical expertise and the ability to think across functions and partnerships.
That means hiring strategically at two levels:
- Functional experts with deep knowledge of the vertical.
- Transformational leaders who can unite teams, technologies, and partners into a seamless strategy.
These leaders typically bring:
- A win-win mindset: Executives who believe “we can win together” are more likely to forge successful partnerships and create shared value.
- Collaborative instincts: The ability to build trust, communicate effectively, and sustain long-term relationships is essential in a connected ecosystem.
- Long-term vision: Strong leaders balance immediate operational needs with long-range planning for growth and innovation.
- Clear communication: In a 2024 Forbes study, 42% said communication was essential for collaboration, and nearly half tied it to productivity and job satisfaction.
- Technology fluency: PwC found that top performers are 1.6 times more likely to leverage ecosystems and digital tools to reach new markets and unlock insights.
- A people-first approach: Despite advances in automation and AI, people remain the engine of supply chain success. Great leaders keep that front and center.
GESG: Talent That Delivers What’s Next
With deep expertise in transportation, logistics, and supply chain, GESG delivers the leadership talent needed to drive growth, lead transformation, and reduce hiring risk. Whether you’re scaling, restructuring, or adapting to change, we help you build the team that moves you forward. Let us know if we can help!
Emily is a Managing Director in the Truckload, Dedicated, LTL, and Private Fleet practice, specializing in executive leadership roles within the transportation industry. She has led senior-level searches for CEOs, Presidents, COOs, and CFOs across ownership transitions, confidential replacements, and succession planning. Ranked in the top 5% of producers among a network of more than 1,000 search professionals, Emily is known for her strong work ethic, ability to build lasting relationships, and exceptional communication skills. Highly motivated and results-driven, she is trusted by clients and candidates alike to deliver top-tier leadership talent.