Hard to get loyal peeps

Good post!

Reminds me of a lecture I heard from a psychology professor, discussing how the mere presence of an observer can change what is observed. This was in regards to how psychologists are making observations of subjects and need to keep in mind that the behavior of the observed change while being observed. At one point he summed it up this way:

"If you find that you are surrounded by nothing but jerks, you need to consider the strong possibility that you are an #######".

 

Like Tracyq stated, it's a 2 way street. I've made so many mistakes on the people that I've hired in the past. And, I learned quick that just because someone holds a CDL, doesn't necessarily mean they need to drive my equipment. I overlooked their, integrity, work ethic, honesty, truthfulness, appearance, leadership, common sense skills and other adjectives and nouns that are to many to mention. And because I did that, it cost me in equipment, time and money. However, I do know that there are drivers out there that meet all these requirements that I seek, however, I have to meet those same requirements for them as well. It sickens me to no end how these mid/mega carriers treat their employes, like they're bottom feeders or at the bottom of the totem pole. Do some of these drivers deserve this treatment, probably, however I know that most do not. I know that the men and women out there deserve so much better. I know these people are good, but they have to be allowed to be human. Accidents and mistakes happen. Every business in this country has setbacks, but it's not ALWAYS the fault of the employee. Sure, there are times that employee stupidy comes into question and when it does, it has to be dealt with. And depending on the act of stupidity, sets the bar for the punishment. However, it seems we all forget that we are human and that aspect seems to always be forgotten.
Over the years, some of the most intelligent, smart, funny, witty people I've ever met were truck drivers, male and female. Just amazing people and I've often wondered, how do I get these types of people. These people were generally happy and part of the reason was because they worked for a company that knew they got a great investment in them, or they were the O/O who knew how to conduct themselves in life and business, and their success shined thru them. I've often told these people I would give anything to hire 20 ppl like them.
So, what set these drivers apart from others? Their souls, their integrity, their wisdom. These people were treated with respect by the company upppers and in return, they busted their butts for their company. Everyone I've ever had the pleasure of meeting told me they felt like they were part of a bigger picture within the company and the respect given them was plentiful. The bottom line, these people seems to be rewarded with a steady job, great pay and felt they were paid worth their salt.

In this industry, there is no doubt that a lot of drivers bring hardships on themselves, but at the same time, more often than not, a company doles out a lot more against its employees just for the simple fact that they can. And, they seem to do this straight across the board to all employees, good or bad. And the end result are employees that are unhappy, uncaring, and looking for a lifeboat to jump into before their ship sinks. When your bottom line in business is the almighty dollar before your employees, sooner or later your ship will sink.

I want to share who my business mentor is, not in real life, but in general. This guy's ideas will be the forefront of my business once I move my company in to a carrier status, (hopefully this summer). I plan on doing what he did by growing the company he did. It basically boils down to his employee's first.
Herb Kelleher is the CEO and founder of Southwest Airlines. Southwest, now a mega airline, started out with very humble beginning and grew into what it is today. Herb has this idea that in the big scheme of things, it wasn't about him or his planes, it was about his employee's. Shortly after 9/11, Southwest was the ONLY airline in the U.S., that wasn't teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Why? Because, his employee's worked to keep pushing forward, by offering the flying public a product worth being a part of. His employees wanted to come to work every day, to keep business moving. Herb created an environment that made his employee's happy and proud to be apart of his company. And, when the flying public was unsure how safe it was to fly anymore, ticket sales were down at all the major carriers, Southwest was filling planes and making a profit. Herb credits all of his/Southwest success on his employees, not himself. Does Southwest have issues/setbacks? Sure they do. Many!!! But, they're not perfect and they try to learn from mistakes they've made against their company and its customers.

Here are a few quotes from Herb:
"Your employees come first. And if you treat your employees right, guess what? Your customers come back, and that makes your shareholders happy. Start with employees and the rest follows from that."

"A company is stronger if it is bound by love rather than by fear."

"One piece of advice that always struck in my mind is that people should be respected and trusted as people, not because of their position or title."

"I forgive all personal weaknesses except egomania and pretension."

"Power should be reserved for weightlifters and boats, and leadership really involves responsibility."

Once I bring my small trucking company up to a carrier status, I know, without a doubt, I'm gonna struggle to find the right people to hire and employee. I want my employee's to have class, character, positive ego and a heart. I owe them the same in return. I can't change this dysfunctional industry, the only thing I can change is my little corner in it. I want my future employees to make a profit. I want my employee's to live a comfortable life style. These pay rates in the 21st century are still stuck on where the value of a dollar was in the 70's and 80's. Who can make a decent living off of these figures? No one can. Not in today's world. I expect growing pains, but I'm planning for them too. But, once we get to where we need to be as a company, it's not only up to me, but it's also up to my drivers to be the, Ambassadors for the company. Those drivers who have to meet one on one with my customers. Not only are they gonna be drivers, but they also play a role as salesman. And when you do something as simple as being humble, giving a hand shake and a smile to a customer, that simple act goes along way with people. People, will remember that act and they will also remember that the company they deal with has a ounce of style, class and honor. Without a doubt, you'll keep their business.

As I stated, I plan to mirror my company from the ideas of my business hero, Herb Kelleher.

Hope my ramble makes some sense to you all. You all deserve better.

Stay safe out there today, esp those of you in the plains. Severe weather today and tomorrow.

Oh, and the candy Peeps are nasty. Rather eat a paper clip

 

I'll treat your customers based on how you treat me.

 

With customers like Walmart, Albertsons and Americold (By far the worst) the driver is already treated like total garbage. Frankly most dogs are treated better then these company's treat a driver delivering to them.

 

When you're fair, you don't owe people.

Be fair.

 

being fair and beyond fair is no guarantee that in this entitled world you still wont get a POS for a driver
I think what would my grandparents think about any of my actions
in 45 years working I have never asked about the pay somehow it has all worked out
I am just an average driver but my boss doesn't toss or turn at 2 am worrying about me

 

It sounds like that driver had other issues and not just whether you were fair or not.

 

After so many horrible bosses that were never drivers themselves I got on with a guy who had 3 trucks and who took a chance on me. I repaid that trust with 3 years of work where I never dinged a truck and worked to the best of my ability. I would help him during my time off to get trucks fixed because in doing so we all won. After every shift I would text with a message letting him know how things went, if anything was wrong with the truck, just a update. When I first started working I was slow, but he still paid me full wage, knowing that I was slow from being new, not lazy. I repaid that by working hard for him and earning that trust, repaying the trust he showed in me. The only reason I left was because I moved. We would have lunch together and talk about the business. When he bought a brand new Volvo he and I were the only ones to drive it because he knew I took care of the truck. I told him that he might have bought it, but when I drive it It's mine. I treat the trucks I drive like they are my own, in appreciation for having great equipment. When a good route became available he gave it to me as a reward for being an effective employee, I hope to find another boss like that.