Scaling operations: Insights from The Box on standardization, trust, and change

What if one simple idea could quietly reshape how the world operates?

That question anchored Samsara’s recent Operations Leaders Book Club, hosted by Samsara COO Robert Stobaugh in conversation with historian and economist Marc Levinson, author of The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger. 

Bringing together leaders across transportation and logistics to explore the book’s key themes, the group discussion went beyond the history of shipping containers and containerization to look at the challenge of managing organizations within increasingly complex operational systems. The conversation centred on maintaining organizational agility without sacrificing flexibility, judgment, or trust—practical pillars that determine success.

Major themes from The Box

Robert began the conversation by asking Levinson to distill the book’s core ideas as they apply to operations executives, to which Levinson responded by explaining that containerization did more than speed up shipping—it made global trade measurable, reliable, and easier to plan.

He went on to broaden the conversation to look at standardization as an interface, an approach that makes complex systems manageable, scalable, and predictable. Containerization succeeded because it standardized the right things in the right order. This transformation didn’t take place all at once, but rather occurred in stages. Changes to hardware, processes, and accountability were staged carefully, underscoring the importance of sequencing in effective standardization.

Group members joined in the conversation and reflected on how modern transformations often fail when standardization is rushed or applied too broadly. The takeaway was clear: standardization shouldn't be used to replace common sense or local expertise. Instead, its real value is in handling repetitive work. Simplify the day-to-day tasks so that human judgment is reserved for the things that can’t (and shouldn’t) be automated. 

Why predictability matters more than speed

One of the most compelling insights from the session was the real economic power of predictability.

Containers did more than make shipping faster; they made outcomes reliable. Stable schedules and clear costs allowed for better planning and asset utilization—benefits that often matter more than speed alone. For today’s operations leaders, this predictability is what builds safer environments and stronger customer trust. The takeaway is clear: the most efficient systems aren't necessarily the fastest, but the ones that deliver exactly what they promise every single time.

Managing the human side of operational change

The discussion also explored how the transition to containerization was met with significant resistance, much of it rooted in valid concerns about job security, safety, and a loss of control. The group noted that this pushback is often a signal rather than a roadblock; it highlights that successful change requires thoughtful sequencing and a focus on building trust with your front line team.

As the conversation continued, the group looked at how that trust was earned by proving the practical benefits of the new system. In this instance, safety was the often overlooked benefit of containerization. As injuries, theft, and cargo damage decreased, safety became a core part of the economic case for the new system. It serves as a reminder to leaders that operational improvements often deliver their greatest value in unexpected or indirect ways. 

The group concluded that while standardization enables better measurement, data alone won't drive a transformation. The takeaway for leaders was that trust in the system is built through transparency, shared incentives, and more. By showing that the data reflects the actual experience of the workforce, organizations can move past resistance and toward a shared understanding that what is tracked and collected truly reflects the reality on the ground.

Join the next Operations Leaders Book Club meeting

Samsara’s Operations Leaders Book Club gives leaders space to step back, learn from history, and discuss ideas for solving real-world challenges. It’s also a great way to network and chat with industry peers who work in similar operational environments and can share valuable firsthand insights.

There are a few copies of The Box remaining if you’re interested in getting a copy shipped to you. All you have to do is fill out this form. We are currently working on the next session and will be sharing the book selection and discussion date soon.