How Leadership Training Can Improve Company Culture

Third-party logistics (3PL) providers, like most companies, are focused on results. However, all reputable 3PL providers understand that an investment in training its warehouse operations employees is a necessary cost of doing business. Certifications for employees driving fork trucks, using RF guns to scan product, and operating pick-to-light systems are mandatory to ensure the safety of employees and that the job is completed correctly. What some 3PL providers fail to realize is that additional leadership training returns a positive impact on long-term business results.

Q: Why should I implement a leadership program?

A: Leadership incentivizes people. A leadership training and development program helps managers identify those people who may need encouragement or redirection. The goal is for people to do their best and be rewarded through incentives provided by contributing to the company’s success metrics.

Once a leadership training and development program is implemented, it is important to remember that it is an ongoing process that continues long after the on-boarding time period. It is never perfect and never completely finished.

Q: How does a leadership program impact company culture?

A: Here are a handful of scenarios in which a leadership program will impact company culture.

Create a culture of accountability. A culture of accountability is created when leaders are trained to admit when they’ve made a mistake, rather than to hide it.

Treat people like people. Encourage your leaders to get to know their employees as individuals, a personal investment that will pay long-term dividends.

Engage people of all levels in conversation. A winning culture exists when people of all levels are encouraged to have face-to-face conversations. Communication is the biggest obstacle to developing leaders today and technology is exacerbating the problem.

Learn to give and receive feedback. When training leaders it is important they know to ask for feedback as often as they give it. The result is the ability for any employee at any level to be able to raise an issue as soon as it arises without fear the recipient will not be open to receiving the information.

Lead by example. All leaders and employees are given permission and encouraged to lead by example. Leading by example is a key element of a high-performing culture.

Create a shared piece of community. Leaders are encouraged to create a sense of community within their teams—one where team members contribute to the same goal and feel connected, rewarded, and fulfilled once it is obtained.

By making an investment in the training and development of your company’s leaders, the return on your investment will show through in your organization’s positive culture and business results.