Learning from Tow Truck Drivers

Greetings.  If I were to ask you to list some of your least favorite people on the planet, you might include tow truck operators…especially if you had recently been on the wrong end of their services.  And you'd likely cite the one or more occasions when they unjustly snatched your unsuspecting car from its illegal parking space seconds after the meter had expired or an instant after you'd left your vehicle with its warning lights flashing to quickly visit the ATM or grab a double-triple-decaf-skimmed and skinny-mochachino latte with an extra shot of free-trade, locally-grown and gluten-free espresso on top for good measure.

"Unfair."  "Unreasonable."  "Unconscionable."  "Unnerving."  "Unprofessional."  

And just plain WRONG.

Simply barbarians of the highest order who seem to be the last vestige of a time when lawlessness was the order of the day.  Marauding through our towns and villages pillaging, plundering and hastily removing the beloved personal property of residents.  All in the name of revenue opportunities thinly veiled as the most modest of parking transgressions.

This topic came to mind recently when one of our most law abiding neighbors, himself a lawyer by profession, had his car absconded as he quickly ran into the bank.  With his wonderful dog inside.  In roughly the amount of time it takes for Usain Bolt to run 100 meters…with a tailwind.  A circumstance he seemed to take in stride once the car and dog were safely returned.

Which got me thinking that it might be possible to learn a thing or two from the grease-covered folks who are efficient to a fault…because, at their best, leading tow truck drivers are:

–  Focused,

–  Purposeful,

–  Results-oriented,

–  Supremely gifted at time management,

–  Detail-oriented,

–  Able to navigate in tight spaces,

–  Respectful of property that is not their own,

–  Experts in the concept of leverage, and

–  Modestly empathetic.

All traits that would benefit our companies and organizations at times when we are in a bind.

We win in business and in life when we bring our very best to the job at hand.  And when we pay more attention to the unreasonable laws that relate to the parking of vehicles by people in a hurry.

Cheers and have a great week ahead!