Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1040159
palletcentral.com PalletCentral • September-October 2018 13 KRISTIN KOPP DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS RELOGISTICS SERVICES I 'm lucky enough to chair the Grassroots Committee at Relogistics, which is a group of 6 facility managers and myself. We convene once per quarter to discuss issues, feelings and needs of the employees to efficiently communicate information to our leadership in order to implement recommendations as developed. My passion for the culture of this company comes from listening to this group of individuals, who have volunteered their time to "be on watch" and to represent our community of employees, letting them know we are here and trying our very best to listen and to respond. I love hearing what the representatives have to say, feeding off of each other when it comes to implementing strategies. MEGAN SMITH CEO SYMBIA LOGISTICS M y leadership style is based on inclusivity, team work and consistency. Being a woman in a male dominated industry has had its share of challenges, especially when bringing softer leadership styles to the table. I've had a harder time breaking glass ceilings with my own internal executive team than with the associates on the floor because I look at my organization from the ground up, instead of the top down. There is a leadership book that truly inspired me: Great by Choice by Jim Collins and Morten T. Hansen. This book is an awesome comparison of 7 wildly successful companies and how they rose to greatness; beating their industry indexes by a minimum of 10 times over 15 years, in environments characterized by big forces and rapid shifts. By finding similarities and correlations between these 10x companies, Collins and Hansen were able to identify similarities between ALL leadership styles. Some of the best advice I pulled from the book were the theory of the 20 Mile March and also creating an approach with the principles of SMaC (Specific, Methodical, and Consistent) that will last for decades. I have taught myself to speak Spanish fluently, and this tool has been invaluable in growing my current operations, hiring up teams of dedicated associates and relating to my ground level workforce. AMY ANGELLOTTI VICE PRESIDENT ROSE PALLET T hree words describe my leadership style: confident, decisive and fair. I also ask good questions. The biggest leadership challenge I have faced is in finding and keeping good people. At Rose Pallet we have had sales and management consultants throughout the years. I have also learned from my grandpas, father and uncles as they are all well-established business men. To be a strong leader, one of my best tools are my listening skills, and putting myself in the other person's shoes. It's important to understand all perspectives in any situation. EMILY JOHNS PORTFOLIO SUPPORT & DEVELOPMENT PALLET CONSULTANTS I n my experience at Pallet Consultants, I've learned to remember that each individual responds differently to various ways of appreciation or recognition. Always try to keep in mind that everyone is unique. The way that you prefer to be recognized isn't necessarily the same as those around you. For some it may be social recognition, some it may be increased pay, some it may be gaining more responsibility, more independence, the list goes on. Try to focus on what each individual would like by taking the time to really get to know them. Recently, Pallet Consultants hosted an internship program for college students and graduates to kick start their career. Each participant wanted to gain something different out of the program but mostly professional advancement. I focused on making them feel valued by providing them with professional portfolio exposure as well as virtual awards on sites such as LinkedIn that showcased their talent. Also, our team is like one big family. In the past we have hosted company cruises, group dinners and other functions to bring everyone closer together and to show that their hard work has not gone unnoticed. Focusing in on how each team member prefers to be recognized is a great way to motivate and encourage them to continue to perform at their highest level.