Knights of the Road

In addition to many other jobs, I've been a teacher for the past 14 years. As a professor of Organizational/psychology, my main concern has always been that my students gain the knowledge and skills to become the best profesionals they could be.

When many new students came to me, their thinking, writing and presentation skills were atrocious. I would give them feedback on what they needed to think about and how they needed to express it.

If I had attacked them personally, we would have become adversaries rather than team members reaching toward the same goals. To watch these students grow into accomplished young men and women has been a great source of joy.

New drivers need the guidance of experienced drivers. Countless times I have heard 20 - 30 year-truck-driving veterans tell me that they continue to learn new things on the road everyday. It is absurb to think that a new driver could know everything that an experienced driver knows; it is equally absurb to hold that new driver personally responsible for not having acquired the same knowledge that years of experience can bring.

If you want NEW truck drivers with good driving skills on the highway, it is as much your job to mentor them as it is their job to be receptive to your knowledge. Don't attack them personally; guide them and give them the knowledge that they need.

I'll never forget this past Christmas Day when we brought newbies and experienced drivers together. The newbies were so happy to have an opportunity to sit in a relaxed setting and gather information and guidance from experienced drivers that they actually took notes.

When I hear experienced drivers complain about new drivers, I have to ask the question: "How have you been the change that you wish to see in them?" It's easy to complain, be negative and derogate the new drivers. It takes a lot more of you to effect change.

Category: General