In today’s world, leading an international logistics business feels like standing on shifting sand. The global nature of our industry means that every headline — economic downturns, conflicts, trade restrictions, Fashions, Emerging markets, new products and innovations, nearshoring or reshoring — touches our work.
If you feel overwhelmed watching the news lately, you’re not alone. Even the toughest leaders might find themselves wanting to retreat under the duvet. It’s natural. But as Sun Tzu said, “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”
Right now, one of the greatest risks to businesses isn't just market turmoil — it’s doomscrolling and decision paralysis. The temptation to catastrophize is strong. Endless scrolling, sleepless nights, and racing thoughts drain our energy, distort our thinking, and impact our ability to lead clearly.
And leadership energy matters.
Stress is highly contagious. If leaders panic, fear spreads through teams and
can reach clients — leading to instability, may be resignations and even
customer churn.
So, what can leaders do?
🔹 Protect Your Energy:
You are the stabilizer of your business. Prioritize sleep, movement, good food,
breaks from screens — whatever keeps you grounded. Self-care isn’t indulgent;
it’s strategic.
🔹 Stay in Your Circle
of Control:
While you must remain aware of external events (the Circle of Concern), pour
most of your energy into what you can control and influence: operational
excellence, customer care, employee engagement, cash flow management. Asset
management: Fleet management, Warehousing utilisation, technology upgrades and
better use of data,
🔹 Strengthen Your
Relationships:
Stay close to carriers, suppliers, and customers. Understand where their
pressures are shifting. Be a partner in their challenges, not a source of more
uncertainty.
🔹 Use Your Goldmine of
Data:
As global logistics leaders, you have access to a treasure trove of data
— shipping patterns, customer behaviours, supply chain movements.
This data is more than just numbers. When used intelligently, it can help you plan
scenarios, create hypotheses, and model 'what if' situations — not just for
your business, but for your customers too.
Partner with your customers. Help them see around corners. Use your
insights to guide them through uncertainty, making your business indispensable
to theirs.
🔹 Scenario Plan
Intelligently:
Use your operational and customer data to map out possible risks — like walking
a course before a race so you know where the potholes and sharp bends are.
🔹 Be a Calm, Visible
Leader:
Make sure your teams know where to focus their attention each day. Reduce
internal noise. Celebrate wins. Create a work environment that feels safer
than the world outside.
In chaotic times, people don't just need a boss — they need a captain who can read the storms, adjust the sails, and keep steady hands on the wheel.
You’ve built something strong — you are resilient by design.
Trust that, steer wisely, and remember: calm leadership is your most powerful
tool.
We’re Here to Support You
If you would like a steady hand to help you navigate these times — whether that’s building stronger data insights, optimizing your operations, or simply having a strategic sounding board — we’re here.
At Problems Solved, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing the logistics industry right now. Our team combines deep sector expertise with practical, real-world solutions designed to keep you resilient, agile, and ahead of the curve.
If you’d like to explore how we can support you and your
business, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Sometimes a fresh perspective is all it takes to turn uncertainty into
opportunity.