Ford CEO Jim Farley on the Most Impactful Job to Change the World
Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company, believes that the most influential role for making a positive change in society is in the supply chain sector, rather than aiming directly for the CEO position.
New Perspective on Career Ambitions
In an episode of Office Hours: Business Edition with Monica Langley, Farley shared insights that challenge common career goals held by young professionals aspiring to become CEOs.
“I would say of all the C-suite jobs that people should aspire to, if you want to make a difference in our society, I would pick one — supply chain.”
Supply Chain Leadership Drives Global Impact
Farley emphasized that supply chain leaders do more than just coordinate the movement of goods—they play a critical role in steering the global economy. At Ford, these leaders must master a broad skill set including technology, logistics, and geopolitics.
“It’s no surprise to me that Tim Cook and many of the CEOs in great companies today come from a supply chain background.”
Farley cited Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, as a prime example of how supply chain expertise translates into effective company leadership.
“No surprise at all to me, because the leadership required to be world-class at supply chains is the same capability you need to run a company.”
Industry-Wide Relevance
Farley’s view resonates across various industries, highlighting supply chain management as a vital area for cultivating future leaders capable of driving significant change.
Author's Summary
Ford’s CEO Jim Farley points out that mastering supply chain leadership is a key path to driving real societal change and becoming a successful company leader.