Hello world! Unloading the thoughts from my brain and my heart.
What 20 Years in Logistics Have Taught Me
Twenty years ago, I started my career in logistics responding to customer requests, chasing shipments, solving daily issues, and learning the fundamentals of operations.
Today, after working across customer service, freight forwarding, customs, warehousing, transportation, supply chain transformation, and integrated logistics, I’ve realized that the most valuable lessons had very little to do with logistics itself.
They were lessons about leadership, relationships, and growth.
1. Put the customer first. Always.
Early in my career, I managed a customer with weekly exports to Puerto Rico.
One day, I made a mistake. Instead of shipping two containers, I only sent one.
I expected frustration, escalation, maybe even the loss of trust.
Instead, the customer simply said:
“Let’s get the second container moving. I’ll explain what happened.”
Why did they cover my mistake?
Because for months before that moment, I had consistently shown up for them. I anticipated issues, solved problems before they became crises, and treated their business as if it were my own.
That experience taught me something I still believe today:
Customers don’t become loyal because you’re perfect. They become loyal because you’re consistently there when it matters.
Transactions create revenue.
Trust creates partnerships.
2. Keep learning. Reinvention is a leadership skill.
Supply chains today look nothing like they did twenty years ago.
Markets evolve. Technology evolves. Customers evolve.
As leaders, we need to evolve too.
I’ve always believed what my mother used to tell me:
“Luck is being prepared when opportunity knocks.”
That’s why I’ve never stopped investing in myself.
Learning new languages. Taking courses in storytelling and communication. Understanding warehousing, customs, LCL, FCL, transportation, and end-to-end solutions. Most recently, exploring the impact of AI on supply chains.
Not because someone asked me to.
Because curiosity drives growth.
I’ve learned that organizations often ask for innovation while resisting change.
The reality is that innovation without change management rarely succeeds.
The same applies to our careers.
If we want different outcomes, we need different capabilities.
3. Listen more than you speak.
Some of the most important leadership decisions I’ve made involved saying less.
A few years ago, I was presenting a solution to a customer. The value proposition was strong, but something wasn’t landing.
I could see it.
The customer was disengaged, frustrated, even confrontational at times.
I had two choices:
Defend my position.
Or focus on achieving the outcome.
I brought another colleague into the conversation. Someone the customer connected with immediately.
The message landed. The deal moved forward.
The lesson? Leadership is not about being the hero of every story.
It’s about understanding the room, adapting to the audience, and putting the objective ahead of your ego.
4. Invest in your network before you need it.
Careers are rarely built alone.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to have sponsors, mentors, coaches, colleagues, and friends who challenged me, supported me, and opened doors I couldn’t see myself.
I’ve also learned that feedback comes from many directions.
Some feedback helps you grow.
Some feedback simply reflects someone else’s perspective.
The wisdom lies in knowing the difference.
Listen carefully. Take what helps you improve.
Leave behind what doesn’t serve your growth.
And when you’re in a position to help others, do it.
Especially for those whose voices are not always heard.
Real leadership isn’t measured by how far you climb.
It’s measured by how many people climb with you.
5. Don’t let a bad day become a bad season.
This is the lesson I’m still working on.
Logistics teaches resilience.
Not every shipment arrives on time.
Not every customer says yes.
Not every project succeeds.
Not every meeting goes your way.
What I’ve learned is that setbacks are inevitable.
Staying stuck in them is optional.
As Ted Lasso famously said:
“Be a goldfish.”
The ability to recover, reset, and move forward is one of the most underrated leadership skills.
After twenty years in logistics, I’ve learned that our industry is ultimately about people.
People who trust us with their business. People who challenge us to grow. People who teach us resilience. People who help us see opportunities where others see obstacles.
The supply chains may have changed.
The technology certainly has.
But the fundamentals remain the same:
Build trust. Stay curious. Listen carefully. Lift others. Keep moving forward.
And if those twenty years have taught me anything, it’s that leadership is not a destination.
It’s a continuous journey of learning, adapting, and creating value for others.
#Leadership #SupplyChain #Logistics #CustomerCentricity #GrowthMindset #LeadershipDevelopment #WomenInSupplyChain #IntegratedLogistics #AI #Learning
Luz Adriana Rojas Lafarga 