As senior vice president of global supply chain at Skechers, Lynda Cumming has many accomplishments under her belt.
She transformed the Skechers supply chain infrastructure so it’s capable of delivering shoes to more than 190 countries. The executive also tracks product flow across 200-plus manufacturing facilities and coordinates the movement of more than 300 million pairs of shoes. Out of that experience, Cumming said she learned that staying agile is key because disruptions in the supply chain — and business in general — can occur at any time.
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And while Cumming has achieved much in setting standards in global shoe distribution, she didn’t do it alone.
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From her experience, creating an environment where people know they are valued, seen and heard is where Skechers excels. “Skechers has always encourage sharing ideas, including those that might be outside the normal processes. Most, if not all, stakeholders operate in an open environment — asking questions or involving various team members in conversations,” she said.
However, all companies can do more to support female leaders, Cumming added. “Encourage a culture where women feel comfortable sharing their ideas and trust that their voices will be valued,” she said. “As a women in leadership, that simply means inviting other women into the conversation at every level — and making them feel like they belong there.”
Cumming has mentored a lot of women throughout her 40-year career in footwear, noting that a “truly great leader embraces kindness and approachability while inspiring their team to achieve extraordinary results. Women sometimes feel that they must come off as tough to compete with male counterparts, but I find our differences — empathy, collaboration, intuition — are what makes us excel in unexpected ways.”
And she points out that when someone on your team is hurting, it’s OK to show that you care. “A kind word, a listening ear or a comforting gesture can go a long way in helping someone feel seen, valued and supported,” Cumming said. “I believe women do this best.”
A version of this article appeared in the June 1 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 3, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation will honor these women at the annual live event in New York City.