"The best leaders in the world are the ones that break down barriers" - Greg Conner of Vanderlande
In this episode of the Land and Lead Podcast, Dr. Josh Elmore speaks with Greg Conner, President of Warehouse Solutions North America at Vanderlande, about leading through transition, integration, and sustained change. Greg shares his unconventional leadership journey, from a Purdue University graduate who once planned to attend law school to spending nearly two decades at Bastian Solutions in a wide range of roles spanning sales, strategy, marketing, and leadership.
That breadth of experience prepared Greg for his current role at Vanderlande, which he stepped into in July 2024 following Toyota’s expansion into warehouse automation. Entering a strong but under-positioned North American business, Greg focused first on empowering people, strengthening communication, and clarifying purpose. Through skip-level meetings, open access, and transparent dialogue, he worked to surface barriers, rebuild momentum, and align the organization around shared goals.
Greg reflects candidly on the realities of change; early wins, missed opportunities, and leadership decisions that didn’t pan out as expected, while emphasizing the importance of perspective. Effective leaders, he argues, don’t get trapped by highs or lows, but stay focused on long-term direction and consistent execution.
The conversation closes with advice for leaders entering high-stakes roles: stay grounded, keep learning, lead by example, and remember that progress is never finished.
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