A LOVE OF LEARNING IS THE KEY TO YOUR GROWTH

BY ROSHAN THIRAN

Over the course of his presidency, Abraham Lincoln - the 16th President of the United States - fought more fronts to keep his young country together than any other president before him or since.

With the unfolding of the American Civil War, he had to navigate political and military implications of the conflict threatening to tear the United States apart. As a staunch abolitionist, Lincoln would also be instrumental in the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, which made slavery unconstitutional.

From within his famous “Team of Rivals” cabinet, Abraham Lincoln fought and strived to cement the future for his country as a bastion of liberty and freedom at a time when its future was as uncertain as during the years of the Revolutionary War. Lincoln was later hailed as a “liberator of the slaves, the saviour of the Union, and a martyr for the cause of freedom”, and is widely regarded as America’s greatestever president.

Like many great historic figures, Lincoln didn’t see his greatness as a natural gift. Alongside the likes of da Vinci and Einstein, he acknowledged that any success he achieved came down to a tireless curiosity, an endless thirst for knowledge, and a compelling desire to understand the world in which he lived.

Stories abound about Lincoln’s love for reading, how he would walk any distance to borrow a book. As a famous quote of his goes, “The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who’ll get me a book I ain’t read.”

Recently, an old colleague of mine was talking about the power of lifelong learning. He mentioned that, with so much information out there, it was difficult to know what, exactly, to focus on. To that end, Lincoln had an advantage over the rest of us: his love of learning was stoked by the fact it wasn’t so easy to get his hands on the kinds of learning materials he sought. When he managed to obtain a book, he devoured it with an intense curiosity and joy that allowed whatever he’d learned to stick in his mind.

Research suggests that, the more choice we have, the harder it is for us to make a choice and stick with it. Whether we’re stuck in paralysis-by-analysis, or we’re a maximiser (and not a satisficer), just to think about what we should learn can be a headache. What’s most useful? What would I find enjoyable? Where can I find the time? What platform would give me the most flexibility?

These questions (and more) gave rise to the learning platform NECOLE - a personalised learning experience that fits around your preferences and schedule, allowing you to learn what you like, whenever you like, and however you like.

Imagine carrying around a Netflix-like learning platform. You get to browse different channels of learning, follow the ones you enjoy, and receive personalised daily learning from world-class trainers and experts. Just think how you would be in one month from now if you devoted one hour (4% of your day) to learning something that ignites your curiosity and love for learning. Think about what you would be like one year from now, how many new skills you’ll have learned, and how expansive your knowledge would be. Often, the barrier to any kind of progress is making the decision to start something new. Whether it’s to get fitter, learn a new skill, or pick up a new language, I get asked all the time: “What’s the best way to start?” My response to the question is to commit to taking the first step, and to recognise the importance of making an investment in yourself.

Learning something new can feel daunting, and with NECOLE, one of its many great features is that the learning can be done at your own pace, in your own time, and because there are no fixed learning schedules, you’ll always be motivated to learn whenever you’re ready.

In his first political announcement in 1832, Abraham Lincoln said of education and learning, “I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in.” He also reminds us that learning from problem-solvers who have succeeded before us leads us to develop the kind of skills and critical thinking required to solve problems that are to still to come.

One of the current users of NECOLE sent me a message after using it for some time to say, “Having my own learning library in my pocket engages me so much on a daily basis and it’s reminded me how much of a privilege and joy it is to learn.”

I know that same feeling of privilege and joy, which is why I’m excited to welcome more people on board as they embark on their personal learning adventure. As Lincoln said, learning really is the most important thing. It empowers us to grow and cultivate the very purpose that gives our lives a deep sense of meaning.

ROSHAN THIRAN

Roshan is the Founder and CEO of the Leaderonomics Group. He believes that everyone can be a leader and “make a dent in the universe”, in their own special ways.

Activities Recommended for

Creative-Thinking Skills

BY ADMIN

Great thoughts or ideas come from critical thinking!

Great thoughts or ideas come from critical thinking. If you’re considering developing game-changing ideas, some activities, such as chess learn, do exercise, or meditation, can help.

Here are nine tried-and-true ideas for boosting your creative thinking:

ENROL IN A COURSE

It was like offering your mind a vitamin boost when you learn new things.

You’ll be challenged, energized, and motivated, regardless of the subject. Look for evening classes at the local adult learning or night campus on a topic you’re interested in learning more about it.

Evening, weekends, or one workshop in areas related to sculpting to philosophy are available at locations like City Lit.

Think about taking courses online if you didn’t make it to a real place or if you’re constantly on the go.

Mastermind gives classes taught by some of the world’s most brilliant minds. You might feel motivated to start something new on your own if you are dipping in / out or complete a single class.

Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash

KEEP A DIARY

If you’re looking for ways to generate concepts, blogging is a great place to start.

It’s straightforward, beneficial, and personal.

Start writing ‘morning pages’ or ‘afternoon articles,’ which are drop-in/drop-out, spontaneous study sessions for a specified period, or a particular page quantity about whatever comes up.

It’s a terrific technique to let go of the day’s pressures and tensions so you can be more receptive to new thoughts.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR JOURNEY TO WORK

For most people, commuting is a waste of time.

It must be easy only to sit quietly & zone out if you’re facing an early jump or fatigued after just a long day’s work.

Listen to the radio or audiobooks to unwind while checking in.

Documentary books will help you develop new skills or viewpoints, whereas fantasy can pique your interest and introduce new concepts.

It is also a superb method to handle the masterpieces if your eyes are fatigued from staring at a computer monitor all day.

There is a vlog on every potential niche and interest, so take ten minutes tonight to look for something else to listen to first thing in the morning.

PUT YOUR BODY TO THE TEST

Thinking outside the box was not the only way to be creative; use the mind-body link and toss out the whole package!

A challenge is an excellent method to unwind and disengage from a hectic mind.

Try joining up for something enjoyable yet challenging, such as a Mud Run race, if you need an achievable objective from outside work.

Suppose you’re looking for something more consistent. In that case, Standard benchmark is a fun and versatile way of trying new workout programs that are amazing in your region, and the process of selecting them can be creative in itself.

MEDITATE

Meditation is not difficult or dull, and the advantages are enormous.

You may concentrate on freeing your head on a specific topic, like how to generate ideas!

Whether you’re fresh with yoga and need to get started, Headspace is an excellent place to start.

You can also use candles & stare at the fire for a few seconds or listen to orchestral music and allow your minds to flow if you want to start something different or relax.

GO OFF TO SLEEP

How many of you have worked to find a solution only to fall asleep and wake up with a fresh point of view?

Because our brains analyse ideas when we sleep, one of the most acceptable strategies to increase idea development is to calm and go off to sleep!

Enhanced power levels, better thinking, and motivation are all natural and substantial advantages of sleeping, leading to higher creativity in the big scheme of things. CONTROL YOUR EMOTION

Human bodies go into a variety of annual and seasonal cycle alterations.

It’s critical to pay attention to it and deal with all these alterations if you need to become more innovative.

If you’re a female, you might discover that you find it hard to think creatively in the days before your menstruation, but that you do have incredible insight on how to come up with fantastic ideas the week or so following.

Generally, you may find it much more challenging to be creative throughout the winter season and simpler once the light starts to shine again in the springtime.

GET TO KNOW NEW PEOPLE

If you’re one of the individuals, you probably spend a lot of time with the same group of individuals: relatives, co-workers, or friends.

Extend your social network, even if it’s only momentarily, to stimulate your imagination.

ORGANISE YOUR AREA

We’ve all heard the cleaning expert say that a clean home equals a clean mind and that it’s true!

Cleaning and arranging your home can be a creative act as well. It may appear to be additional administration or a diversion tactic.

Set aside time on a routine basis to rearrange and realign your area for a unique outlook.

Those activities are super brain-stimulating. Do you ever find yourself desiring to accelerate your growth by enhancing your prowess? Well, look no further. Necole is a state of the art learning platform that curates personalised learning just for you.

ADMIN LEADERONOMICS

This article is published by the editors of Leaderonomics.com

Source: Photo by Frank McKenna

LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM THE FREIGHT INDUSTRY

BY ADMIN

Strong leadership is crucial for any business!

With an annual revenue in the hundreds of billions, the freight industry is undoubtedly one of the world’s largest and most profitable industries. It has gone through significant evolution over the years as transport systems continue to change and develop. Many freight companies have faltered and disappeared as a result of these changes. The companies that have stood the test of time are often those that are helm by capable, resilient, and innovative leaders.

Strong leadership is crucial for any type of business and industry, but freight management, in particular, requires laser-focused leaders with unique skills and capabilities. In this article, you’ll learn about the top leadership.

1. Quality Vs. Quantity

Freight brokers move things from point A to point B. But it’s not just about movement. How and when this movement happens is essential as well. The customer won’t just be concerned with if their parcel arrived at its intended destination, but also if it got there in time.

Most freight companies will provide a guarantee to their clients that certain types of goods will arrive at the recipient’s doorstep within a specific period of time. However, a tremendous amount of work has to go on behind the curtains to deliver that promise. If any part of this well-oiled machine goes wrong, then chances are everything else will fall into pieces. And not too many things can hurt a business more than under-delivering on a promise.

Managers in the freight business often have to make crucial decisions to keep their word. Sometimes it might be better for them to take relatively fewer orders then deliver them at record speeds than for the company to spread itself too thin trying—and eventually failing—to ensure the quality of service across the board.

Good leaders will always have contingency plans to ensure that their decisions won’t tarnish the brand’s image and can benefit the business in the long run. If your clients and customers trust you to deliver high-quality services consistently, then you’re all set for longevity in the industry.

2. Technology Empowers Leaders

Today, the freight industry uses a range of tools and technology to streamline its operations. For instance, some applications make managing capacity, rates, and loads significantly easier. Here are some other examples of technology that freight businesses use:

• There are also low-cost communication tools that allow teams to collaborate and work together more efficiently. These tools also make it easier to share documents with clients, which helps reduce errors and save both parties’ time. • There are apps designed to streamline the quoting process so freight businesses can cut down on the time they spend on quote preparation. • There are also plenty of software solutions available for brokers who outsource their freight forwarding needs or work with multiple carriers.

Technology makes it easier for leaders to spend more time on the business instead of in it. In fact, People Magazine refers to technology as the driving force behind the modern leadership style. Technology doesn’t just allow leaders to automate some of their tasks, it can also help them influence and motivate employees, build customer loyalty, and focus on the strategic development of their organisation.

3. It’s All About The Customer

Once a freight company gives a customer an estimated time of arrival (ETA) to deliver goods, they have to follow through. It means that, to begin with, the estimate has to be well-calculated! If the company can’t stick with the ETA, it’ll affect their relationship with their customer. This is also why some companies use GPS-based programs to improve their service.

In the same vein, maintaining a successful business isn’t just about getting things done; it’s also about how you get them done. Customer-focused leadership is the goal of most businesses, but it remains a theory rather than practice for many of them. To make customer-focused leadership a reality, change has to come from the top. Leaders should demonstrate their genuine commitment by establishing systems that put customer needs at the forefront.

4. Constantly Track Performance

Part of good leadership style in the freight industry involves constantly re-evaluating strategy and performance. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to ask yourself: ‘what’s the opportunity cost?’ It means you should be thinking about and writing down (in detail)—what would happen if you did nothing different. You can even go as far as creating a spreadsheet with projected numbers based on two versions of continued business: one where you make no changes and one where you implement some changes or new strategies.

Think deeply about each idea that comes to mind—then select one or more that’ll have the most significant impact on your company and leave everything else out. Track these new strategies over time while continuing to do what worked in the past. If you want a chance to build a highly profitable company - you need to take advantage of every opportunity available to improve your organisation.

5. Balance Conflicting Priorities

Company leadership in the freight industry must be able to juggle a lot of different tasks at once. It’s not just about getting shipments done, it’s also about keeping stakeholders informed while still keeping the customer happy. This is where strong people skills come into play.

Dealing with multiple priorities requires good listening and communication skills, being prepared to give and receive feedback, and providing ample support for team members. A successful leader can do all this while still leading by example and showing appreciation for everyone who helps them get the job done.

6. Adapt As Your Industry Changes

Just like companies need up-to-date technology, leaders need to be aware of how the industry is changing. The freight industry has seen substantial change in the past decade, led by consolidation among carriers and within subsets of shippers. Technology innovations have also spurred change in the market, leading to dramatic changes in how logistics services are procured. A successful leader knows when to adapt, which means that they are always ready for whatever comes next. Adapting can lead to success when times are tough or even just different.

7. Data Is Power

Within a freight company, it can be hard to know who’s doing well in the group without record-keeping, especially when personnel come and go or priorities change. This is where data tracking programs come in handy. Most freight companies use software or app-based solutions for tracking shipments so that everyone can see what they need to do, when they need to do it, and which tasks are waiting on them.

A data-driven culture is just as important for other industries and businesses. In companies with a strong datadriven culture, decisions are informed by data analytics rather than experience or intuition. This is something top-level leaders need to strive for, as data-driven decisions allow them to quickly respond to shifting customer preferences and market trends.

8. You Have To Put In The Work

It can feel like leadership roles are filled by people who are naturally skilled at multitasking without making mistakes, but this simply isn’t true, even in the fast-paced freight industry. Even though it may seem like some staff members have been given a high-level position without putting in the work, the truth is that anyone who’s made it this far has done so because they’re constantly striving to better themselves.

Great leaders can teach themselves new skills and constantly learn from their mistakes. They know what they don’t know and work hard to fill those knowledge gaps.

9. Employees Are Your Greatest Asset

A freight company—and virtually any other company—has to get this relationship right. A lot of a business’s success depends on its employees. However, although companies may want to keep their employees happy, this isn’t always possible. For instance, if your company is losing money or needs someone to take on more responsibilities, you may have to ask employees for more help before giving them extra compensation packages.

A successful leader knows when to cut their costs, even if that means working longer hours or implementing a pay cut. When a business improves, your employees will be happy to focus on growing their skills, taking on new projects, and learning from the best.

10.Reputation Matters

This item kind of sips into almost every other point listed above. In the freight industry, word of mouth is more valuable than ever. When a freight company is reputable and trusted by their customers and the public, they’re more likely to thrive. On the other hand, if the company is known for substandard services or constant delays, customers are going to stay away from them. The company’s reputation matters—a lot!

This mantra is also true for leaders. If you’re known as someone who doesn’t deliver on promises or isn’t easy to work with, it’ll be harder for you to get new clients and grow your business.

Conclusion

These lessons can help you run a more efficient and more productive business. If you focus on the information above and use it to better yourself as well as your employees, then you’ll be able to take your company to new heights!

ADMIN LEADERONOMICS

This article is published by the editors of Leaderonomics.com