Most supply chains are designed to survive disruption. Very few are designed to improve because of it. As volatility, uncertainty, geopolitical pressure, and technological change continue to accelerate, resilience alone is no longer enough. Businesses now need systems that can adapt, evolve, and become stronger under stress.

KEY CONCEPTS COVERED:

• The difference between resilience and anti-fragility

• Why most supply chain problems are actually people and leadership problems

• How AI and decision intelligence are reshaping operations

In this episode of Chain Reaction, Michael Ostroumov is joined by Sean Culey, supply chain strategist, transformation expert, author, and keynote speaker, for a wide-ranging discussion on anti-fragility, systems thinking, AI, leadership, and organisational change. Sean shares insights from decades of experience across supply chain transformation, ERP evolution, and operational strategy, explaining why businesses often remain trapped in reactive firefighting cultures despite having access to better technology and data.

This episode is particularly relevant for supply chain leaders, operations executives, transformation teams, technology strategists, and anyone interested in the future of organisational design and decision-making.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OdTB5mhVpSw 

TIMESTAMPS:

(0:00) – Introduction and guest overview

(1:15) – Sean's accidental journey into supply chain and SAP

(3:22) – Breaking functional silos and early supply chain integration work

(5:32) – The rise of automated supply chains and disruptive technologies

(6:55) – Why disruption accelerated after 2012 with new technology

(12:54) – What anti-fragility actually means in supply chains

(18:47) – Why thriving through disruption matters more than resilience

(21.02) – Grit, growth mindset, and the foundations of anti-fragile organisations

(26:00) – Brexit, disruption, and practical operational realities

(29:07) – Leadership, visibility, and creating better future operating models

(32:38) – AI, data quality, and decision-driven supply chains

(35:31) – Why transformation fails without emotional buy-in

(37:35) – Decision-making, automation, and supply chain intelligence

(40:31) – Magic wand question: unlocking human potential inside organisations

CONNECT WITH THE HOST & GUEST:

Michael Ostroumov –  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelostroumov/ 

Sean Culey – https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanculey/ 

CONNECT WITH FLOX:

Website: https://www.flox.is/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/flox-logistics-services/

Related Service Page: https://www.flox.is/for-lsps/transport-providers 

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, Chain Reaction Podcast explores anti-fragility, organisational psychology, and supply chain transformation with Sean Culey. The discussion covers why many businesses remain trapped in firefighting cultures, how AI and automation are reshaping operational decision-making, and why resilient organisations are no longer enough in a world defined by constant disruption. Sean explains how businesses can evolve from siloed operational structures into adaptive value networks capable of learning, improving, and growing stronger through volatility.

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