Chris Kapp Email and Phone Number

Go to the Gemba! Our leadership team was heavily debating solutions to an issue our associates in the field were experiencing with customer orders when my manager says “everyone here who has gone out to our reps to discuss this situation and see it for yourself, raise your hand…if your hand isn’t raised, you can leave the meeting.” This is something that has stuck with me, mostly because it is the way I have always thought and approached life and work.This mindset was instrumental in successfully creating and executing a people strategy that enabled us to quickly improve our talent depth and exceed the stretch external operating profit target for the year. “Going to the gemba” was also critical in the process of changing our company culture from one of being comfortable with the status quo to one of taking personal accountability, ownership and being bold. The “go see” approach is also what has allowed me to be a trusted advisor and coach to leadership and business partners. Building relationships and taking the approach of “seek to understand” is a great way to learn the true challenges, issues and opportunities that exist. Maybe the biggest factor in the success I have had comes down to one word, balance. Balance requires the word “and” not “or”! • Supporting the business and advocating for employees• Being strategic and getting things done• Using quantitative data and qualitative data• Being a coach and empowering others and not being above rolling up the sleeves to help• Personal accountability and teamworkDiverse experiences have made the importance of balance abundantly clear and have shaped me as a leader. Such as:• Working with the Board to talking with Joe running Line 1 on 3rd shift• World class HR processes & systems to NO processes & systems• Individual contributor to leader of a large team• Various industries of all sizes• High growth to consolidationOutside of work I am always trying to maximize time. As a morning person, I like to get an early start each day and get ahead of everyone else. I make exercise a priority as it allows me to disconnect and recharge but also to engage and think differently about things at the same time. Some of my best ideas occur to me during a long jog. It also provides energy, which allows me to outperform and outthink the competition and provide extra support for my team!If you want to talk about people solutions for business problems, exchange ideas, or discuss best practices around leadership, culture and talent (and you’re not a bot), please reach out!