This digest issue continues a series of articles about first enrolment graduates of the Future Leaders training program. Have they benefited from the training? Have their careers changed? Jenny Zhao, Director of Scheduled Cargo Operations – APAC, is answering these questions today.

– Jenny, how did you find yourself in the program?

– I feel honored to be invited to this program and appreciate the recognition by the Group top management.
I have to admit that due to considerable workload and study on EMEA program the same year I couldn’t devote too much time to the Future leaders program, but I did my best to participate actively.

– What expectations did you have?

“The teambuilding session in the forestland which started the training course was really impressive”.

– My expectation to this program: 1) to get the knowledge of the Group development strategy; 2) to listen; 3) to share and communicate; 4) to improve my personal skills and leadership.

– What can you say about the program? Was there anything that impressed you most? And what event within the program did you find the most helpful?

– The program is well organized by the Corporate University. It provides the best platform to the VD Group young generation for continuous learning, so that we can generate more valuable ideas, prevent present and future threats and overcome challenges.
The teambuilding session in the forestland which started the training course was really impressive. Despite the fact that some of the participants had never met before, they were kind and quite willing to help each other in order to achieve good team results.  Another memorable session was held by the GE professor. It was also interesting and helpful.

– Did the program help your career growth?

– More clear understanding of the Group strategy, organization and culture helps me perform tactical tasks.
Networking within the Group eases the communication and contributes much to cooperation and teamwork.
Improvement of my managerial skills encourages me to take more responsibility in leading the team to achieve the assigned goals.

– Jenny, how did you manage to find enough time to do the training course?

– It’s a good question, indeed. I have to say that without my family support, my team and my management, I couldn’t have done that. There are always a lot of things to work on simultaneously, however, so it’s extremely important to know how to prioritize them and invest the energy into the most important tasks.

– Does the knowledge you gained help you meet the challenges in the new role?

– It does, definitely. In its scope the program provided knowledge and managerial skills development on strategy, leadership, organization structure, project management, finance, marketing, operational management, etc – and not only on the basic level, but also on the advanced one. So it definitely brought the value and great help to overcome the challenges in the new role.

– How do you see your further professional development?

– It will be challenging but also a good chance for further development and opportunity to apply theoretical concepts into practice to contribute more value to the company.

– What is leader for you?

– Leader is the one who can lead to change, focus on making a difference in the challenging environment, bring out the best in followers, encourage employees and listen to them, find the right match between the person and job to motivate followers and treat employees as a team member.

The solemn moment. The Group president Alexey Isaykin awarded the graduate certificates

– Is being a leader in China/Russia/Europe similar or different?

– In theory, it should be similar but it varies in practice due to cultural differences, historical reasons, etc.

– If you had a chance to do the program once again, what would you do in a different way?

– Frankly speaking, nothing can be better.

– The second round of the Future Leaders training program started in Moscow on February. What can you recommend to the program participants?

– There is just a short period – a year for learning and mastering various complex, serious theoretical concepts and skills. So, I think the most important thing is to make the most out of this well designed professional course, try and collect all valuable thoughts and ideas from our knowledgeable professors, leaders, top management, classmates, colleagues. And as these valuable seeds get planted in our minds, they will eventually grow in our work and life to become the most precious wealth in our whole life.
I truly believe that such spiritual baptism will help us find ourselves and the true value of Work, balance work and life, let us contribute more to the company and the society.