111: Scott Smalley, Managing Director, Solutions, Japan, DSV

Scott Smalley is presently the Managing Director of DSV in Japan.
Mr. Smalley is originally from Michigan in the United States and
his first introduction to Japan was through an exchange he did
with Japan during his schooling at Michigan State University. He
returned to the US to finish his degree in Economics and
Anthropology before starting to explore more opportunities in
Japan. Mr. Smalley worked in Sales for a few years before
pivoting into Logistics starting with Herbalife in Japan. After
this role, he held various mid-level and senior leadership
positions in Logistics in the US and Japan.


Mr. Smalley defines leadership as leading by example. One of his
biggest leading examples is taking a vacation. In Japan, Mr.
Smalley finds that many people have not taken a vacation in 5,
sometimes even 10 years. He emphasizes that without ample work
life balance, people are not at their creative best. He
emphasizes that taking vacation will encourage people to be more
innovative and to work smarter not harder. Working long hours
does not necessarily mean that someone is more productive, and he
tries to show his staff this by leading by example.


Mr. Smalley explains that they try and reward innovation by
giving out $100 Amazon gift cards as they are a big motivator. He
explains that in Japan, the culture is so unique that you really
must try as a non-Japanese leader to make that connection, which
starts with understanding the language and culture. He emphasizes
that to make people drop their defenses, you must show them that
you value their culture, be honest and straightforward, and try
to share your own experience of being in Japan. Additionally, Mr.
Smalley connects with his staff over drinks after work, holding
meetings in the mountains and connecting with people at Onsen,
the Japanese hot springs.


 


Mr. Smalley would advise newcomers to Japan to really listen and
get to know people outside of work, perhaps through a drink after
work. He says that learning Japanese has become easier now with
more technological options. He recommends trying to learn
Japanese, which will help with communication, getting people to
let their guard down and in ensuring good teamwork in Japan.