I’m almost in month 8 now, and as I look back on my journey as a Logistics person for my squad, I’ve realized so many lessons that the position has taught me. God has definitely used this to make me a better sister in Christ and a better leader for the future. Here are some of the hard lessons that I’ve learned from doing logistics this year. If you’re a logistics person, or any kind of leader, try to live these out daily. It will help tremendously!
- You are a servant. Phil. 2:3-4 says:
“Don?t be selfish; don?t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.?Don?t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
- View every email, phone call, trip to the ATM or DHL, and travel day as another way to love and serve people on the squad. Put everyone before yourself and make it about the squad and what’s best for them. Do things to uplift and take care of people.
- Serve your fellow logistics partner and the squad leaders. They’re part of the package too! Show them respect and deal with them in a peaceful and loving manner. Sometimes during stressful travel days, you may get frustrated with the situation, but don’t take it out on those you’re serving.
- With the above, find a balance between being task-oriented and people-oriented. Don’t let your ability to care for people get lost in you trying to get things done.
- You are not important and it’s not a power trip. It doesn’t have to be you doing everything all the time and things don’t have to be your way or the highway. Be flexible and above all, humble!
- You don’t have to do everything. Team effort. Allow people on the squad to step up. Empower them. Delegate. Lead in a way so that no one can tell who’s the leader.
- When people offer suggestions or try to help, acknowledge their efforts and make them feel heard and appreciated, no matter the circumstance. Don’t hurt people who are trying to help.
- One of your best resources is your contact. Go to them first for help with setting up transportation. They know the area best.
- When making plans or arrangements, be assertive and confident. Know what you need and expect. Clearly state it in a respectful way but don’t ask. If you make things sound too optional or timid, people will take advantage of you.
- Bargain, bargain, bargain. Try to talk everything down.
- When frustrations arise between you and other logistics person or you and the squad leaders, don’t hold it in or brush it off. Logistics and squad leaders are a team. You need feedback just as much as any other team. Deal with issues as they come up.
- Communicate, communicate, communicste! Don’t be afraid to ask the needed or hard questions. Ask every question you have. Fill the squad leaders in on everything, especially information that you researched and have special knowledge of and especially on travel days. Something may get overlooked or confused because you kept information to yourself.
- Support each other well. You and the other logistics are partners in World Race chaos. Check in regularly, encourage and positive feedback often, and pray over what you do and for each other.
- Most of all, know that God put you in the role for a reason and there are many lessons to be learned. Lean on Him to work things out and do everything for God and not man (Col. 3:23). Give Him the glory in the end!
