Building High-Performing Teams

This episode explores how to build world-class warehouse culture through people-first leadership, training programs, and technology integration. Jesse shares his 13-year journey from warehouse supervisor to director, revealing strategies for retention, safety, and developing future leaders.

About the Guest

Jesse Sevilla is the Director of Sales & Operations at States Logistics, with 13 years of experience progressing from warehouse supervisor to his current leadership role.

Key Topics Discussed

Leadership Progression

Jesse shares his journey through warehouse management, discussing the challenges and lessons learned at each stage of career development.

Building and Maintaining Culture

Creating a culture where employees feel like family requires intentional effort. Jesse explains how States Logistics maintains their culture even as they grow.

Training and Cross-Training Systems

Systematic skill development through metric tracking enables identification of future leaders and ensures consistent capability across the team.

Safety vs. Productivity Balance

The conversation addresses the false dichotomy between safety and productivity, showing how prioritizing safety actually improves performance.

Succession Planning

Developing talent internally ensures operational continuity and provides growth opportunities that improve retention.

Technology's Role

Tools like OneTrack identify safety blind spots that managers can't catch visually, supporting rather than replacing human judgment.

Key Quotes

"Everyone can get the same forklifts. They can't get the same people. That's our edge."

"If I see potential in someone, I'll sit them down and say, there's an opportunity I can develop you into."

"That extra dollar was nice, but the culture wasn't the same. Here, I feel like family."

"Be safe first before you try to outperform. I don't care if you pick a pallet in three or seven minutes—just be safe."

"You have to ignore stress in your own life, put a smile on, and say, 'Hey, I'm here for you.'"

Key Takeaways

1. People-first leadership - One-on-one relationships, walking the floor, and genuine mentorship drive retention
2. Safety over speed - Prioritizing safety creates happier, more productive employees
3. Scalable training - Metric systems tracking certifications enable systematic development
4. Technology as support - Tools identify blind spots but don't replace human leadership
5. Future vision - Technology will augment, not replace, human workers