January 9, 2013
Why do some fleet managers last longer in their positions than others? Longevity is important, because if you want to be a great fleet manager, you need time in the saddle. Ive discovered that longevity is the secret to being exceptionally good at fleet management. So, back to my opening rhetorical question: What is the secret to longevity in fleet? Based on my conversations and observations over the years, there are four key factors: flexibility in the face of change, a desire to be a lifelong learner, the ability to have an open mind, and the management skills to be a team player.
Strong Survival Skills: Flexibility & Adaptability There is one truism in life: Nothing stays the same. A key trait contributing to fleet manager longevity is the ability to be flexible, especially in fluid situations, and to have the ability to easily adapt to change. You must be ready to change your professional direction, which may not always be the direction you anticipated or initially desired. All long-time fleet managers have demonstrated an ability to be flexible, even when management makes significant major decisions affecting the fleet with little to no input from them. Since fleet is ever-changing, you must be able to adapt to change, instead of fighting it. This professional orientation and philosophy will increase your fleet longevity quotient. Not only are long-time fleet managers able to adapt to change, they are willing to recommend change. A corollary trait is having a thick skin. No matter what you do, somebody wont like it, and theyll be sure to let you know you need to roll with the punches.
Motivated to be Lifelong Learners Long-time fleet managers demonstrate a continual desire to learn. By their nature, they love to learn new things and are motivated to do so. They are never complacent to be complacent is the corporate kiss of death. They constantly try to improve their value to the company through continual education in developing new skills. Not only are they motivated to expand their professional skillset, they do not hesitate to share this knowledge with their colleagues and direct reports. However, much of a fleet managers true education is learned from on-the-job experience the proverbial school of hard knocks. You will never gain this real-world experience unless you have longevity in your position.
Open-Minded to New Approaches One important trait of long-time fleet managers is being open-minded. They listen and give serious consideration to new ideas, but have the wisdom and sensibility to temper ideas in the light of fleet pragmatism. But, the bottom line is that they are not threatened by new ideas. They recognize that, even if they are the resident in-house subject-matter expert, someone else may have a better idea. They are open to ideas regardless of the source, whether they are from suppliers, industry publications, drivers, or employees in other departments that interact with fleet. It is crucial to be open-minded, because fleet interacts with various departments and user groups. Being open-minded is being open to new opportunities. This goes beyond thinking outside-the-box. It means removing all internal limits to visualize a goal and be open to whatever the best path is to attain that goal. Open-mindedness is the incubator to innovative fleet management, resulting in new processes, metrics, and technological applications.
Manages as a Team Player All great fleet managers, and most long-time fleet managers, are team players. Fleet managers deal with a diverse group of drivers, ranging from sales reps to mid-level managers to senior executives, with each group requiring a special finesse. Long-time fleet managers (typically) can accept criticism without getting angry or taking it personally. Similarly, long-time fleet managers are able to build consensus, which means getting others to work with you rather than against you. This means they listen more than they speak. They gather input from others before making decisions. They reach out and cultivate relationships with manufacturers, fleet service providers, and upfitters. More important, they maintain excellent internal relationships with all departments that interact with fleet and build long-lasting professional relationships. They are committed to a team approach to running a cost-effective and productive fleet that is responsive to user needs.
Thrive on Change The fleet manager role has been changing over the past 20 years, as many corporations continue to reassess how they provide fleet management and other support services to their internal customer groups. However, while good fleet managers adapt to change; great fleet managers thrive on change. If you can do this, expect a long (and rewarding) career in fleet management.
Let me know what you think.
More here:
Long-Time Fleet Managers Reveal Their Secrets to Longevity in Fleet
- Aubrey de Grey - In Pursuit of Longevity - August 27th, 2011 [August 27th, 2011]
- The Gregory Mantell Show -- Anti-Aging - August 27th, 2011 [August 27th, 2011]
- The Longevity Gambit - August 28th, 2011 [August 28th, 2011]
- The Longevity Revolution Highlights - August 28th, 2011 [August 28th, 2011]
- David Wolfe Longevity Now Program Jason Wrobel Raw Food Superfood Smoothie Demo Part 1 - August 29th, 2011 [August 29th, 2011]
- Longevity - No Surrender (feat. 2Mex) - August 29th, 2011 [August 29th, 2011]
- Longevity "Living to be 100" - August 31st, 2011 [August 31st, 2011]
- 100 Day Juice Feast #55 Longevity Now - August 31st, 2011 [August 31st, 2011]
- Longevity and Aging in Humans - September 2nd, 2011 [September 2nd, 2011]
- The Longevity Factor: Joseph Maroon - September 3rd, 2011 [September 3rd, 2011]
- Longevity 2 - September 3rd, 2011 [September 3rd, 2011]
- Longevity 1 - September 6th, 2011 [September 6th, 2011]
- David Wolfe Longevity Now Program Jason Wrobel Raw Food Superfood Smoothie Demo Part 2 - September 6th, 2011 [September 6th, 2011]
- Generation Ageless: Longevity and the Boomers - September 9th, 2011 [September 9th, 2011]
- Longevity 'Tantrum' Official Video - September 11th, 2011 [September 11th, 2011]
- Dr. Oz on Living Longer - September 11th, 2011 [September 11th, 2011]
- DO NOT BUY Longevity - September 12th, 2011 [September 12th, 2011]
- World's oldest man reveals longevity secret - September 14th, 2011 [September 14th, 2011]
- Ancient Longevity Exercises - September 14th, 2011 [September 14th, 2011]
- PEDIGREEĀ® Commercial: Healthy Longevity - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Longevity Music Promo #1.mov - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- SENS5 - 100 Plus: How the Coming Age of Longevity Will Change Everything - Part 1 - September 20th, 2011 [September 20th, 2011]
- Confirmed Dedicated Servers For MW3 PC - Longevity of Shooters - September 23rd, 2011 [September 23rd, 2011]
- Art Of Longevity - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- harbor freight stick electrodes and longevity plasma / welder - September 25th, 2011 [September 25th, 2011]
- Super Model at 70 - Longevity Secrets from Sunny Griffin - Part 2 - September 27th, 2011 [September 27th, 2011]
- The Longevity Project, Howard Friedman and Leslie Martin - 9781594630750 - September 28th, 2011 [September 28th, 2011]
- Bee Pollen Benefits Longevity in Humans #48 - September 29th, 2011 [September 29th, 2011]
- David Wolfe Longevity Now Program Jason Wrobel Raw Food Superfood Smoothie Demo Part 3 - September 30th, 2011 [September 30th, 2011]
- David Wolfe's Longevity Now Experience Part 1 Jason Andrew Wrobel Raw Food Demo - October 1st, 2011 [October 1st, 2011]
- Ayurveda - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- J-Live - Longevity (Digiri Blend) - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- J-Live - Longevity - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- tig welder / plasma cutter multi process longevity LC-518d welding machine - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Longevity Secrets. - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- harborfreight 110 80amp welder vs. Longevity 110 220 140amp welder - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- How Do You Define Longevity? - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Supermodel at 70 -- Longevity Secrets from Sunny Griffin - Part 1 - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Integrated Decalcification Longevity Health Program - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Looking for fun ideas for your reception? Check out the longevity dance. - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Longevity Now Conference with Be*Live - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Auth Method of Therapeutic Massage - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Longevity Aging - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Anti-Aging Breakthrough from sexuality to longevity! - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- 100 Day Juice Feast #83 Longevity Secrets To Live past 100 - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Insant Health: The Shaolin Qigong Workout For Longevity - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Mindful Longevity Through Intended Evolution Fitness (FIT-150) - October 7th, 2011 [October 7th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY EGTs THE SILENT KILLER - October 7th, 2011 [October 7th, 2011]
- harborfreight welder 80 amp inverter longevity stick/mig machine - October 7th, 2011 [October 7th, 2011]
- Structured Water Unit for Healthy Water, Longevity and A Greener Environment - October 7th, 2011 [October 7th, 2011]
- AFC Longevity Conference Performance 2011 - October 9th, 2011 [October 9th, 2011]
- Longevity's Short Time Span - October 9th, 2011 [October 9th, 2011]
- 3: Battery Longevity | Ask Alexandra | Chevrolet - October 9th, 2011 [October 9th, 2011]
- Pina LoGiudice, ND, LAc, on The Dr. Oz Show - New Superfood for Longevity - October 10th, 2011 [October 10th, 2011]
- Joe Scarborough Says All The GOP Frontrunners - 'Have Longevity As The Number Three In Al-Qaeda' - Video - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY AUTO TRANS SERVICE 1 OF 4 - Video - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY INJECTION TUNE UP 1 OF 4 - Video - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY LEAKS 1 OF 2 - Video - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY INJECTION TUNE UP 2 OF 4 - Video - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- Longevity Secrets From Blue Zones' Dan Buettner - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- Qi Gong 10 symbols of Longevity Exercises 1-6 - Video - October 15th, 2011 [October 15th, 2011]
- How To Stay Healthy And Maintain Longevity Up To 150 - Video - October 15th, 2011 [October 15th, 2011]
- "Genetic and Genomic Analysis of C. elegans Longevity Pathways" - Prof. Gary Ruvkun - Video - October 15th, 2011 [October 15th, 2011]
- Integrated Decalcification Longevity Health Program - Gabriel Cousens, MD - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- 6.0L LONGEVITY EGTs THE SILENT KILLER - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- David Wolfe's Longevity Conference Day 1, episode #546 - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY LEAKS 2 OF 2 - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY INJECTION TUNE UP 4 OF 4 - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- 100 Year Old Woman: SECRET OF LONGEVITY! - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- The importance of addressing longevity risk - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- I The Breather - Longevity - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY INJECTION TUNE UP 3 OF 4 - Video - October 17th, 2011 [October 17th, 2011]
- Employees to receive over $6 million in longevity pay - Video - October 18th, 2011 [October 18th, 2011]
- In Time "The Secret of Longevity" Movie Clip Official 2011 [HD] - Justin Timberlake - Video - October 20th, 2011 [October 20th, 2011]
- How to be a longevity expert #154 - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Tibetan Chant : Lama Gyurme - Longevity prayer to Kalu Rinpoche - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- WP...Longevity (2011 Clan Vid Teaser) - Video - October 25th, 2011 [October 25th, 2011]
- Longevity Weldpro LS-160P Plasma Cutter Welder CNC demo cut. - Video - October 26th, 2011 [October 26th, 2011]
- Sonia Arrison on "How the Coming Age of Longevity Will Change Everything" at Singularity Summit 2011 - Video - October 26th, 2011 [October 26th, 2011]
- Uncle Lester's Secrets of Longevity - Video - October 26th, 2011 [October 26th, 2011]