What A Director At Forward Air Wishes They Knew Before Entering Logistics
Ryan, a Director at Forward Air, advises that the transportation industry doesn't always reward hard work; "just because you put in the hard work doesn't necessarily mean you get a reward," requiring persistent motivation despite facing continuous challenges and infrequent positive feedback, even when things go smoothly.
Overcoming Challenges, Resilience, Motivation, Industry Realities, Workplace Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Ryan Dromgoole
Director
Forward Air
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
University of Denver & Masters in Transportation
Industrial, Supply Chain Management
Manufacturing, Operations & Supply Chain, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Operations and Project Management
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Hard work doesn't always guarantee immediate rewards. Success in this industry requires perseverance through challenges and periods where effort may not be explicitly recognized.
2. The nature of logistics means that positive experiences are often silent, while problems are immediately apparent and require attention. This can affect motivation.
3. Maintaining team morale is crucial, especially given the frequently demanding and high-pressure nature of the work. Finding ways to stay motivated despite a lack of immediate recognition for successes is important.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
Before entering the industry, I wish I had known that hard work doesn't always guarantee a reward. This is a difficult concept to accept.
There will be times when you face significant challenges. The industry itself might present difficulties, or you might feel incredibly busy without feeling rewarded afterward.
I try to remember this and keep the team motivated. Often, we see this with everyday examples, like tracking a package. When a package arrives on time, you usually don't contact the company to thank them.
Calls and emails typically come in when something is wrong, and once it's resolved, it's over. It's important to find motivation, push through, and realize that facing challenge after challenge is a common part of the industry.