Growing Pains HURT! Life At A Startup.

I've been busy!! On a slow month...

The latest struggle has been running blocker with all these other drivers who complain about the company. I work my arse off and only sit if I need it. To my benefit last month was a pretty slow one for me. I'll get to that in a bit.

EVERY TIME, I am near another company driver I get asked the same questions, how long have you been here and do I get the miles. I point to my founder driver sticker and say "yes". I refuse to engage in company bashing with these guys. I let them rant and tell them to take their concerns to the appropriate management staff. To which I get "that guy is such a so and so!" Well, I don't know what to tell you. I end up by the end of each of these interactions wishing I could just say " The only thing I've heard you say that the company has done wrong is hire YOU!"

I don't say that of course.

So last month was a nice slow month for me. I normally like to run my butt off and am totally burned out in time to go home and recoup. Instead, I got about 2/3 the miles and didn't even make a bonus this tour.

But I think I got some ammo for the turkeys, erm crabby drivers....and some lazy fun runs. I was able to take a few detours and see family I hadn't seen in years, I got to park in NM and wander some land I'm considering purchasing, twice :)

Awesomeness for me.

As far as ammo, correct me if I'm wrong, but I figure I had one slow month that I can point to and just tell them that, sometimes freight is slow and every load is what YOU make it. I got laid over in some not so great places but I can say I STILL had a pretty great month.

I'm debating a list of "what I do as a satisfied driver" and leaving it in our breakroom. Initially I'd ask these angry drivers if they are doing __________?

If it was: Are you making your appointments earl? the answer was "Yes!! But there's so much time on the loads I don't really try to anymore. "

If it was: are you consistently sending good early ETA's I would hear "Yes!! But they don't move appointments or give me another load any faster so I don't really waste my time with that any more."

If it was: Are you calling in to the meeting? The answers were every excuse you can think of. Phone use while driving, not wanting to listen to the b***h session, or oh, I just didn't think it was important. The last being my personal favorite to hear.

So, these drivers come to me for what? They ask what's wrong and why they're not happy, and want to know about the company, yet they can't make a phone call to the ONE place that can fill them in wholly on what our freight is doing and out finances and and and and!!!

It's kind of tough being a respected driver by the company, because drivers will tell me that they do what I do and don't get results. I'm done talking to them.

I'm pretty sad and at times mad for having to explain that I'm happy and not having the same issues.

Anyone have any lines that will shut 'em up and not be rude?

Jenny, you're taking on the challenge of a lifetime - what to do about truck drivers who underperform and constantly complain. Sometimes people don't know what they need to do in order to become a Top Tier Driver, others simply aren't willing or capable. For the most part they don't know what it takes or they're not willing.

If you look at drivers who have reached the highest level of performance there are a few things they almost all have in common. They are:

• Ambitious - they want to turn as many miles as possible
• Efficient - they try to squeeze everything they can out of their available time
• Creative - they find innovative ways to work through the challenges they face
• Independent - they don't need anyone to hold their hand
• Friendly - they know how to get along with people and work well within a team
• Lobbyists - they continuously push for more miles or to move appointment times ahead
• Humble - they understand they're an important part of a system, but not the only important part
• Consistent - they know you can't rest on your laurels but most perform at the highest level consistently
• Communicators - they know you must keep dispatch and customers updated at all times
• Safe - they make safety their first priority always and never put a scratch on that truck
• Flexible - they understand that change is the only constant out there and they roll with it
• Willing - they take on the tough jobs and do whatever it takes to get the job done safely

The next time you come across someone complaining that they're not getting top miles and the best treatment just go over that list with them and have them explain the ways they're accomplishing each one, or just give them the list and say, "Here you go. Now you know exactly what it takes to fix every problem you have and become a Top Tier Driver."

This is perfect! Simple and practical. I will definitely be printing and handing it out. The discussions get a bit overwhelming when it's all about the "buts".

Hey Jenny, this conversation inspired me to start another one about what it takes to be the best in this industry. Check this out:

What Does It Take To Be The Best?