Effective Fleet Leadership Skills Amid a Global Pandemic
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WORDS BY ANBY ALCOMENDAS
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought along with it many uncertainties that led fleet managers and operators to rethink their strategies to keep everyone safe . It has forced us to adapt and reinvent the services , products and relationships we rely upon to drive growth .
But while there had been challenges in the way we do our business ; one idea has permeated throughout the industry : effective leadership is the key to running an efficient , sustainable , and safe fleet .
What Makes an Effective Fleet Leader ?
The role of a fleet operator is already complex and can involve several responsibilities even without the pandemic looming over us . Performing your day-to-day duties often require a combination of strategic thinking , savvy business knowledge , and above all-else , leadership skills .
If there ’ s one thing that pandemic has made apparent , it ’ s that effective leadership is the key to keeping fleets moving forward .
So , what makes an affective fleet leader in these challenging times ?
1 : Embracing Change
As fleet leaders , we have been conditioned to rely on our fixed business process to achieve predictable and reliable outcomes . But the pandemic continues to teach us that embracing change is an essential part of leadership .
The fleet industry is more dynamic than we ’ d like to believe . And so effective fleet leaders welcome change and uncertainty . They remain comfortable amid ambiguity and are ready to adapt their strategies to achieve their fleet ’ s goals .
2 : Curiosity
Curiosity is a game changer for fleet operators because it implores us to seek new information and explore new possibilities in the unlikeliest of places .
Curious fleet operators ask relevant questions and promote constructive discussions with their team members . This allows them to come up solutions that are not only innovative and creative but are also inclusive .
10 ISSUE 31 OCTOBER 2021 / WWW . AFMA . ORG . AU