​Top Qualities of a Successful Logistics Professional

By Len Batcha

President

Technical Transportation, Inc

The logistics industry continues to grow at a solid pace, and according to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of logistics professionals in the country is expected to increase by more than seven percent between now and 2026 — adding almost 160,000 people.

To stand out and be successful, though, requires a wide-ranging skill set aimed at moving products from Point A to Point B quickly and profitably. In my years working within this industry, I have found there are six crucial traits a logistics professional must possess to enhance success. Here’s a summary:

• Critical – Having critical thinking skills are an asset when analyzing a process and finding ways to increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve the bottom line for your company, as well as your customer’s. This is in addition to getting products where they need to be at the right time and in pristine condition.
• Clever – Problem-solving skills are often required throughout every phase in the supply chain in order to effectively handle immediate and unforeseen issues as they occur or in design process. On-the-spot problem solving increases the chance of a positive outcome for all involved in the supply chain process. You must be able to draw on your experiences – both good and bad – and problem solve by thinking outside of the box when presented with new challenges!
• Strategic – A professional who wants to advance in the industry must be able to see and understand the big picture of the entire logistics process, from start to finish. It will be critical to also know how to make or recommend changes at the strategic level to present planned schedules that seamlessly integrate changes, control expenditures for budgets and labor requirements for implementation programs to improve the logistics process.
• Flexible – You may not need the physical capability to touch your toes (in most cases), but you do need to be able to adapt easily to changes in your logistics plans and processes. This goes hand-in-hand with problem-solving skills and the ability to move away from your initial plan if needed to get the job done. Remember there are always a multitude of routes to arrive at your destination, but you may need to change direction in order to recognize the desired goal. It is a journey not a destination. Also, be willing to continually seek professional improvement through programs like TechTrans’ Learning Management System (LMS).
• Calm – Maintaining a level head when situations seem desperate or frustrating is an important quality for logistics professionals. Every delivery presents its own unique twists and turns. You must be able to manage the stress and anxiety that comes with managing those tasks. Grace under pressure is an admired trait. Never let them see you sweat.
• Transparent – Integrity and honesty is paramount to building relationships between you and your company as well as between your company and its customers. You must be upfront about mistakes you make and don’t try to hide them. They’ll likely come to light sooner or later and in a way that sheds a worse light for you and your company. Remember we usually learn more from our mistakes than we do from our successes.

If you’d like to learn more about what it takes to succeed as a professional in the logistics industry, or if you’re searching for career opportunities, then we invite you to click here and contact us today.