Fuel for Thought

Do You Listen?

Do you listen? Or just hear? 

New drivers often seek advice from older, seasoned drivers. Most of the experienced drivers I know are always willing to help a driver that is starting out. Occasionally, you will run across one that is just a little gruff or bitter about helping others get started. For the most part we don’t mind passing along the knowledge we acquired over the years, for those willing to listen. Therein lies to problem. While a lot new drivers might ask for advice or help, many only hear what they want to hear. Those giving the knowledge can grow weary of repeating themselves to find those who are asking are not listening, thus they become bitter old timers and can give up trying to help.

If you believe that a competent, professional driver has advice to give you, and you ask for it, LISTEN, don’t just hear the answers you are looking for. Very few people like to repeat themselves, but even fewer like talking to a wall.

The same goes for the carrier’s recruiters. Listen, to what they have to say, ask questions, take notes and ask more questions until you understand what it is that you are signing up to do. Don’t just hear all the positives and disregard the negatives. Everything in life has a positive and a negative. Listen, understand and question.

It can take some time to get settled in as a new driver, especially if you have never done it before. You should not expect to perform at the same level as matured driver, nor should you expect to start at the same pay rate. Most drivers have to work their way up the ranks, and you are no different. There will be bumps in the road and unavoidable detours, but the detour will end and you will find your road ahead to be smoothing out as you make your way. Do not give up too soon, anything worth doing will have it's challenges, that is what makes it worth the effort. Keep asking questions as conditions are always changing, but remember to listen, don’t just hear.

In the end you benefit more from listening to all that is said. Rather than starting a short lived job based on what you heard, you can have a lasting career, be more productive and successful from listening and learning.

See you down the road,

Greg

I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.

- Ernest Hemingway