In my field of work, I’ve been smiled upon by lady luck, to learn from remarkably successful, impactful not so much white collar professionals but more entrepreneurs.  I’m defining “success” here as gaining what matters most to you, separately and realistically – not as some objective measure of outer wealth, achievement or triumph.

Watching people in action conscientiously who are living fully on their terms and enormously loving it, I’ve seen how they think, retort, interrelate, problem solve, and lead.  I’ve applied these lessons to my own life, and to those I coach.

I’ve noted that people who love what they do for a living and have created tremendous success and reward, not only engage incessantly in life-supporting behaviors, but also avoid certain negative actions and mindsets that other, less successful people customarily get lost in.

To begin with, supply chain managers shall avoid: Engaging in “below the line” thinking “Below the line” thinking refers to exacting mindset that shapes how you view the world in a warning way. It is the view and believing of a kind where one thinks what’s happening is outside his/her control and everyone else’s fault, their industry, their boss, their spouse, etc. It’s the kind of thinking infested with the notion “it’s not fair what’s happening around, and I don’t have what it takes to overcome these changes, I didn’t expect this and I can’t handle it” whereas  “above the line” thinking on the other hand is manifested with the opposite, like say, the supply chain manager has the notion that indicates he/she can see the obstacles ahead, can address it with open eyes. They’re comfortable for their life and career and have what it takes to scroll through successfully. If there is failure they believe they’ll wake up tomorrow having learnt something grave.

Supply chain managers shall also avoid: mistaking fantastical wishful thinking for action, Successful professionals supply chain managers trail outcomes that flow physically from their current dealings. Ineffective managers attach to fantasies that may relieve them momentarily of their situational throbbing but have no foundation in reality.  We can’t have our cake and eat it – therefore supply chain managers shall now be doing what they know best and preach all the time.

It’s always critical and prudent to take bold action towards your visions, in order to meet that said success. Successful managers develop huge goals as well, but they squash them down into small, edible action steps, that they then build on, which of course naturally makes them achieve their targeted goals.

Another situation the supply chain managers shall avoid is: Remaining powerless and speechless, Successful supply chain managers are in touch with their power, and are not afraid to use it and express it. They advocate and negotiate strongly for themselves and for others, and for what they care about, and don’t shy away from articulating just how they stand out from the competition.  They know how they contribute uniquely and the value they bring to the table. In addition, they don’t wait to bring up concerns – they tackle challenges head on, by speaking about them openly and candidly with calm, poise and grace. They don’t hide from their problems.  And they don’t perceive themselves as hapless victims.

The supply chain managers shall also avoid: Putting off investing in themselves, we habitually see such traits over and over in those managers who feel discontented and unsuccessful – they are astonishingly unresponsive to invest time, money and energy in themselves and their own growth.  They are comfortable only when putting other people’s needs ahead of their own.  They’ll make any excuse for why now is NOT the time to invest in them or commit to change.  They feel guilt, shame and anxiety over claiming “I’m worth this.”  Successful managers don’t wait – they spend money, time and effort on their own growth because they know without doubt it will pay off – for themselves and everyone around them.

Furthermore the supply chain manager shall avoid: Resisting change, naturally every individual resist any change for a start, triumphant managers don’t rupture themselves alongside what is or drown in the shifting tides. They go with the flow. They follow the trends, and cuddle them. They are flexible, fluid and lissome. They react to what’s in front of them, and cope nimbly. Those managers who are unsuccessful bewail what is appearing before them, and stay jammed in the past or in what they “anticipated,” tetchy about how life is not what it should be and why what is feels so wrong.

Supply chain managers shall also avoid: Honoring other people’s priorities over their own. Successful managers know what matters most to them – their priorities, philosophy, concerns, and their enterprise and rationale.  They don’t hover aimlessly on a sea of leeway – they are masters of their own ship and know where they want to head, and make bold moves in the direction of their imaginings.

To do this, they are very lucid about their top priorities in life and work, and won’t be waylaid by the priorities and values of others.  In short, they have very well-defined borders, and know where they end and others begin.  They say “no” to happenings and behaviors (and thoughts) that will push them off track. They know what they want to generate and the bequest they want to leave behind in this lifetime, and honor that each day.

Supply chain managers shall also avoid: Doubting themselves and their instincts those who distrust themselves, lack conviction in their own gut or instincts, or second-guess themselves continually find themselves far from where they want to be.  Successful professionals believe in themselves without fail.  Sure, they acknowledge they have “power gaps” or blind spots, and areas that need deep development.  But they forgive themselves for what they don’t know and the mistakes they’ve made, and accept themselves.  They keep going with hope and optimism, knowing that the lessons from these missteps will serve them well in the future.

Moreover supply chain managers shall avoid: Searching for handouts and easy answers as the old adage goes ‘nothing comes on a silver plate.’ Supply chain managers shall not expect easy go on dealings, especially those starting new endeavors in their respective fields. Don’t expect free advice or service just because you’re starting up or don’t have enough capital. Give the impression and action that you don’t need any free service from any other simply because the person you’re seeking the service from is a service provider at a fee. Hope we are together here?

Successful supply chain manager who are professionals are respectful, resourceful, curious, competent, tenacious, and they figure out how to get the help they need without asking for handouts. That doesn’t mean they don’t seek assistance when and where they need it, or make use of the many free resources.

Photo Credit: (own) sidoman.com

With all said and done, in a nutshell:  Success demands, deserves hard-work, grit and persistence to go into its making. From that dusty footed young man riding the Donkey Cart to go and fetch water from Damer-dan joint of Dawa River in my hometown – to earn a living as to make ends meet, to that CEO of successful logistics company somewhere in the world watching as innovation turns a new page of history whilst a special Drone delivers parcels around the mountains, to myself sitting here sharing my thoughts with you, (of course later drive my Range Rover Sports home) no bragging,  no banter, we’re all pushing or pulling the fence into the same direction.