Finding Your People

Something I’ve noticed speaking to people within the fleet industry is that you can’t do this alone. I’m not talking about running a fleet on your own (can you imagine?), but I’m referring to the job as a whole.

Surrounding Yourself with the Right People

Whenever someone in the public sector retires, we try to do a sort of exit interview write-up with them. One of my favorite questions is, “How did you get your start in fleet?” Besides talking about their initial segway into the role, most people will talk about the people who guided them along the way.

For some, it was mentors; for others, it was their co-workers; and for some, it was being a part of an organization that allowed them to meet people they could learn from and discuss challenges with. At the end of the day, I don’t think I’ve talked to anyone who hasn’t emphasized the importance of having a group of people to help you learn and become better at your role in fleet.

What I love is that I can talk with someone who has been in fleet management for 40-plus years, and they let me know that they’re still looking for ways to improve and still asking the people around them how to do better at their job. I remember early on a fleet manager telling me, “You can’t have an ego in this industry,” and from what I’ve observed, it’s true.

From what I've seen, successful fleets tend to stay involved. They’re not afraid to call up another fleet and ask how something is done. These individuals have people around them for their fleet journey.

Different People in Different Situations

I've also learned that having a mix of people in your circle is helpful when it comes to problem solving. You need people who will challenge you, people who can give words of wisdom and encouragement, new voices and old. I’d say it’s also important that you are able to be that “voice” for someone as well.

I always appreciate it when any of you take the time to answer my questions or share your thoughts on a subject, so I can only imagine how helpful that is for someone within the fleet industry. So, to take a page from the industry experts I’ve learned from, keep a solid group of people around you to offer honest advice and be a sounding board when changes happen.

And some add-on advice I’ve heard is to stay involved in one way or another, whether that is through your closest fleet organization, conferences, or simply taking the time to meet with other people in your industry. As I’m sure you can attest, this is a busy industry, and time is precious. But finding your people can make the journey if not always easier, a little bit better.