Recently I moved to a more remote area in Wisconsin. I love seeing the wildlife outside my window. I enjoy the turkeys, deer, rabbits, and many kinds of birds. One especially beautiful male cardinal has become my wake up alarm each morning.
The cardinal sees his reflection in the window and has determined that the image in the glass is his enemy. He sits on the tree branch and waits for the opportune moment to attack the bird in the window. He gathers his strength and lunges for the image, only to knock his head on the glass surface. Then he rests on the branch and waits for his next strike.
I find the process amusing, but I worry about how his little head is sustaining the blows. He can’t seem to take his focus off that red bird he sees as a threat and that must be dealt with through physical means.
The cardinal reminds me of some of us in the trucking industry. We become focused on someone or something we consider to be a threat to us and we attack. Usually the attack is verbal, but it’s often because we cannot see things from the other’s perspective.
Drivers sometimes feel their carriers are out to cheat them. Some companies even create policies to address the mistrust they feel for their drivers. The trucking industry can feel like it’s under attack from legislators, regulators, and their competitors. Some operate in an atmosphere of suspicion. We think that image in the glass is going to hurt us, when in reality; it’s just a reflection provoking our wrath.
Think about your own situation and how your relationship with others could be more harmonious. Instead of assuming the other person is putting his or her own needs before yours, think about how you would act if you were in the same situation.
You might think your company values profit over their drivers, but if they operated solely with that goal in mind, I doubt any driver would be responding to their recruiting ads these days.
Whether you own the truck and/or drive the truck you have one goal in mind. You want to use the truck to earn a decent living, get the load delivered for the customer, and have it done safely. For most, this is our basic reason for being in the trucking industry. If you are a driver, you can safely assume your company wants you to deliver the load, make an income, and get home to see your family. How can you work together to make that happen?
When it comes to your elected and appointed officials, you might feel as if they only care about being re-elected or that their goal is to put you out of business. However, they truly are focused on safety on the road, the environment, or whatever the mission their government entity was established to promote. You need to understand their vision and how you fit into that goal. Instead of attacking them, help them better understand the challenges the legislation places on your profession. Try looking out the window from their perspective instead of sitting outside and attacking the glass image, like my cardinal friend.
When I look at a tractor-trailer on the highway, I might see one name on the cab, another on the trailer, and a third name on the container. But I also see one driver who is responsible for getting the load to the customer. There are so many parts to the trucking industry and there can be discord between the different groups. An outsider would be amazed to see the lack of cooperation while the goal for all involved is the same. Get the load delivered, earn a decent living, and get home safely.
Don’t be like the cardinal who feels threatened by something he sees, but it isn’t really there. He’s bashing his head for no reason. We would come a long way if we take the time to see the industry from another’s perspective. Focus on the main goal - to get home safely and with money in your pocket.