Unfortunately, in the mid-sixties during the highly controversial Vietnam conflict politicians chose rather to stand up and tell it like it was, they chose to lie to the American public. This set the precedent for any politician going forward to lie anytime it was convenient for them to do so. These leaders and many that followed set a very poor leadership example for the entire American public which is the crux of our current problems. This paved the way for the removal of the paddle, the pledge of allegiance, and the Lord’s Prayer from schools which instinctively conveyed to children a blatant disregard and respect for authority.

Above and beyond contrary belief leaders are made not born. Someone once said that if you thrust an individual into a management position without any management/leadership training, when the first critical crisis occurs, they will respond by reverting back to how their household or school environment was run during their childhood. Proving that we are a product of our environment as well as that management and leadership skills are learned not inherent.  A supervisor or manager reverting back to their childhood manner of raising may be good or bad, but can you afford the potential damage that could be instilled into the morale of your team? Trust takes a long time to cultivate and can be literally destroyed in seconds. It is like glass, once broken it will never be the same.

Tom Peters once said that 85% of what a front-line supervisor needs to know is how to utilize (manage) his/her resources of time, labor, supplies, etc… and how to effectively lead and inspire their team and only 15% of what they need is the knowledge of the respective   business they are working within. These percentages change as an individual elevates up the ladder with the leadership knowledge becoming 90% and the actual business percentage dropping to 10% and so on as they elevate up the corporate ladder. And I’ve found this assumption perfectly accurate throughout my career. Everyday from Presidents, CEO’s, all the way down to front-line management are quashed not from their lack of skill in their respective industry, but for their lack of ability to lead, manage, and inspire their team to improve the bottom line whatever it may be up to and including professional athletic coaches. And what do most companies do? They go looking for someone with the business knowledge rather than leadership skills. Here in the U.S. there is a major shortage of leadership not only in the political arena but within every industry, at all levels of management.

So how do we overcome this huge challenge? You start by hiring individuals with integrity and teachable spirit. You find the ones who are hungry not only to learn your respective business but excited to learn how to lead and manage and drive improvement. I’ve found that manufacturers can hang technology on equipment from now until the cows come home, but it will never be more difficult than managing people. As the complexity of our diverse workforce continues to change it is imperative that leaders at all levels understand that learning to lead and manage is a never-ending process. You next must look in the mirror and ask yourself am I leading with unquestionable integrity? (Integrity is the strongest character attribute.) It is imperative that you lead by example. Who on my team is or is not leading with integrity? Leading with integrity builds respect, and respect morphs into devoted trust. Once you have trust you can accomplish almost anything. If you currently have leaders at any level who are not leading with integrity and think they know it all you must immediately have that nose to nose meeting in order to determine if they have the ability to change and develop a teachable spirit and fully understand the aforementioned concepts. If they lead you to believe that they can make that significant transformation (It is a significant personal and professional change.) you must closely monitor their actions to ensure they are not running underground and undermining your actions and are truly embracing the transformation. Steven Hawking stated, “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.”  You as a leader must understand that this change will be difficult. One must understand that not making a decision or handling a problem is a problem within itself and the only thing that matters is what you do next.

So, who’s going to win, it is the business with the coach/leader that knows how to lead, manage, and inspire his/her respective team with integrity which will ensure respect and trust. Not the one who was hired for his/her knowledge of the X & O’s of the business but lacks the skill to inspire a team, as such he/she arbitrarily slashes services and seasoned employees in order to meet a short-term financial goal. With the principles to lead, manage, and inspire in place they’ll be able to punch it in for the business winning touchdown.  Do you want a short-term or a long-term win?

Where have all the leaders gone? The answer is simple, we failed to develop them due to sociological, technological, and cultural changes within our society. However, all is not lost. There again, leaders are made, not born. If you lead by example with integrity and due diligence, providing on-going training you will develop them into leader while simultaneously grasping the necessary knowledge in your field of business. This will bolster their commitment to you and the organization while improving your key performance indicators. (KPI’s). Dedication and loyalty are not acquired with money or benefits, it can only be gained by trust, and respect.

Hopefully in the upcoming elections the citizens of America will have the fortitude to elect Governmental officials who will work in a bipartisan manner in order to enhance the strength of America rather than their own personal agendas setting the stage for the development of the future leaders of our nation.

“The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.”

—Bob Marley (1945-1981)
 Singer, Songwriter, Musician

I have read the letter of the young lady several times. She is interesting and very thought provoking.

You gave her some really good advice. I wish I had thought thru my input about trying to change the structure of how we classify mechanics. When I tried to get some think-tank processes on retaining mechanics by using an A, B, & C type classification.

I realized after the fact while companies will say think outside the box. Those can be empty words sometimes. The politics of stepping on toes or the insecurities of hierarchy can create problems if not well thought out the correct approach. You gave her some sound advice. While it is unfortunate it is like that. Many do not embrace your proclivities in life and business of always trying to mentor people to move up and replace yourself Mike. While they may talk the talk they are really foxes in sheep’s clothing. She seems like a very driven and bright young lady from what I have read. Like to hear more about this young lady. It refreshing to see young people that have drive and desire. It something our country lacks a lot of. I have a nephew that graduated top of his class from Air Force academy a few years back. An extremely grounded and intelligent young man. He is now a fighter pilot and just got assigned to the F-16 Viper. While he wanted and qualified for the F-22 there just were not slots open. Mike some of these young men coming out of the academy really bring confidence back that America still has what it takes to be great again. While the current White house administration can be depressing and cause you to think we are doomed. I believe there is hope in the future.

Shoulder is coming along well. I am 6- or 7-weeks post op. My surgeon said I am well beyond the recovery curve. PT has reduced my PT appointments to every other week till I get to 12 weeks and start strength training. I have good movement and overall agility. It is still stiff and a bit weak. Of course I am one that always think if twelve weeks is the goal then my goal is 6 weeks. My doctors says she is confident my shoulder will turn out well as she knows I will push for a full recovery and as close to normal agility as a regular shoulder. She said her biggest hurdle with me is slowing me down and teaching me to work in moderation. I am learning but heck I not getting any younger. Laughing. Hoping all is going well with you and Donna. Hope the new house is coming along well and no hiccups.

Be well my friend.

Hi Mike,

It was a pleasure meeting you over the weekend. It has been a while since I have had a passionate conversation about continuous improvement and it reminded me how much it energizes me. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my story and for providing guidance on how I might be able to move towards helping small businesses around Cleveland, as well as sharing your story on how you arrived where you are today.

I hope your trip home went smoothly, and I look forward to keeping in touch and continuing our great conversation!

Thanks again,

Amanda

You start by hiring individuals with integrity and a teachable spirit. You find the ones who are hungry not only to learn your respective business but excited to learn how to lead, manage, and drive improvement. I’ve found that manufacturers can hang technology on equipment from now until the cows come home, but it will never be more difficult than managing people. As the complexity of our diverse workforce continues to change it is imperative that leaders at all levels understand that learning to lead and manage is a never-ending process. You next must look in the mirror and ask yourself am I leading with unquestionable integrity? That old adage, “Do as I say, not as I do” has never worked, and it’s imperative that you lead by example. Leading with integrity, builds respect, and respect morphs into devoted trust. Once you have trust you can accomplish almost anything. Who on my team is or is not leading with integrity? If you currently have leaders at any level who are not leading with integrity and think they know it all, you must immediately have that nose to nose meeting in order to determine if they have the ability to change and develop a teachable spirit and fully understand the aforementioned concepts. If they lead you to believe that they can make that significant transformation (It’s a significant personal and professional change.) you must closely monitor their actions to ensure they are not running underground and undermining your actions and are truly embracing the transformation. You as a leader must understand that this change will be difficult. One must understand that not making a decision or handling a problem is a problem within itself and the only thing that matters is what you do next.

So, who are the game-changers that made these incredible things happen and how you go about hiring and retaining them? Who developed the adapting processes to meet the new requirements? First you must take stock in your current management team and know who stepped up to the plate and was able to adapt to the constant demand for change. You must make it a top priority to retain and hire those types of individuals going forward.  During the interview process contrary to the belief, you need ask questions to the potential candidate that he/she does not know and hiring individuals who are forthright enough to say, “I don’t know.”  No better way to build trust than to say I don’t know, let’s figure it out.

How they do anything is how they will do everything. Additionally, you are looking for individuals who are asking as many questions as you the interviewer are. From the employee standpoint, you are looking for companies that have core values and the culture that manages and operates to their core values, not ones that are hanging on the wall collecting dust. Additionally, you are not looking for quick responder but for candidates who ask questions, that is how they will handle problems and opportunities for your organization. Why is this so very important?  Hypothetically, a customer asks an employee a question in regards to one (1) of your services, the quick responder believes they know the answer and give a canned response thinking they are pacifying the customer and moving on to the next task.  Whereas the diligent employee asks many probing questions in order to completely understand the customer needs thus resulting increased sales and an improved relationship with the customer. Nothing will sour an employee’s morale and dedication faster than watching you fail to deal with an incompetent or indifferent employee. And you can’t change a company with indifferent employees, it is imperative to handle HR issues immediately!!!

There’s a lot of conversation about how today’s worker will need to shift to a mindset of lifelong learning to stay career relevant. Even before the pandemic, the workplace was rapidly changing due to technological advances. Now, that pace has increased, and many of us recognize that we must continually learn and upskill our knowledge in order to keep up and, ultimately, enhance our careers. If we can keep up this pace of garnering respect by leading and managing your entire workforce, then other industries will learn from transportation and this respect will keep growing. Moreover, this topic is so broad it will require a follow-up article that will be published soon. Additional articles can be found at mcbconsulting.com

I have been pondering some things and I know you are very much more in touch in the transportation world than I curently am.

Everyone seems to be using all these new code words of being Zero emissions, Global warming etc. and Calif is trying to pass legislation of no internal combustion engines by 2030 or 2035. I very much believe in keeping our plant safe and clean but I also believe to not cut your nose off spit your face. I sincerely always believe in diversification is always better approach to things than a one an done approach.

So this brings me to the things I am pondering. If we build and all electric society this means we will need more electricity and we are already trying to decommission coal and gas fired generators and using more solar. That’s ok but we are falling short already at being able to supply the grid at peak times. Solar panels degrade at one to two percent a year, are extremely hazardous waste, heavy metals, arsenic, silver and lead. Car batteries last 100,000 to 150,000 miles approx depending on where you get your info in optimal conditions and produce all kinds of hazardous gases.

Now we have not gone through a complete cycle of waste on many of these but when we start filling the world with more and more vehicles and we haven’t even put the transportation industry into the mix and I am sure life expectancy will be less. So the question is are we trading gas vehicle for something that maybe much more hazardous, use more of our raw materials, have less infrastructure for empowering, put a heavier load on an already strained electric grid and push the cost up exponentially. We have not even got into having enough technicians capable of even handling our current transportation market. Are we pulling our gun out of our holster and shooting our self in the foot. Is the liberal society even addressed any of these thoughts?

Just an old country boys thoughts. I just wondering what yours maybe?

John,

You pose some great questions that warrants study and consideration from several standpoints.

Clean Air Act of 1970:

My biggest compliant is the federal government fails to learn from previous challenges to roll out new technology in order to reduce emissions as well as carbon footprint. Their first attempt was the Clean Air Act of 1970 which had some good points as well as some that were very detrimental to society and small business owners. Yes, all the two (2) stall gas stations that disappeared from the topography of America and became convenient stores and no longer serviced vehicles. This happened right when we had an influx of new drivers on the road. More cars, more potential pollution and drastically reduced number of repair facilities. Ouch! Another problem with the Clean Air Act of 1970 was there no regulatory stipulation on a common platform. As such, every manufacturer had their own proprietary platform which is why when the influx of microprocessors hit the market the small shops couldn’t afford all tools that would enable them to troubleshoot the now proprietary systems properly. This same factor hit the shade tree mechanics right smack in the proverbial head impeding the development of future technicians. More cars, less technicians to repair them, Ouch number 2. The one (1) things that was included in the Clean Air Act of 1970 was there could be no patents on emission control systems. The purpose of this was in hopes the manufacturers would share the knowledge in hopes of improving our environment.  Yeah, right. This actually had the reverse-effect or backfired (pun intended) when the manufacturers implemented more and more proprietary systems with only vague operational descriptions in attempt to protect their intellectual capital. These and several other factors lead to the Clean Air Act of 1990.

The Clean Air Act of 1990:

The Clean Air Act of 1990 attempted to rectify some of the aforementioned challenges and get everyone working with some commonality as well as forced the issue of generic software that could read the diagnostic codes. However the manufacturers continued to lay more and more layers of code and options on the equipments that we have arrived at where we are today.

Sorry, I got on a little rant there, but I feel it was necessary step on where I’m going with this. Yes, our power-grid that is not only inadequate for our current and future needs it is very antiquated. Tree-huggers tend to feel that once we have a glimmer of hope on a long term solution that it will magically become efficient and the laws of supply and demand will bring the costs in line. Yes, for somethings like cell phones and computers that philosophy has worked out well. However, you mentioned solar-panels and batteries. Solar panels are not cost-effective nor will they be unless some drastic change is made to the technology. As yes, they are a huge environmental waste!  Some technological advances  make perfect sense and some really don’t. Kinda like the one Congress person is of the belief that we need to control cow farts. Where do these idiots come from and who elects them? We need real leadership in Washington, who will put the well-being of the nation first not these individuals who are out to line their own pockets.

The Rusty Reality:

The rusty reality of the truth is whether it is electrification, autonomous, or fuel cell technology we need a common platforms in order to build and advance these and future technologies for numerous reasons such as safety, ease of maintenance, and most importantly, security. As such, there is so much time wasted because of this, getting these technologies engrained into the market to where they are reducing emissions and fuel consumption were all going to die before they come to fruition. Just think about how long it took in order to get fuel and emission efficient vehicles on the road after the Clean Air Act directive of 1970. From my perspective, if there had been a common platform we could have solved they problem much quicker thus eliminating tons and tons of air pollution. The good news on the electrification initiative, the ATA has put some recommend engineering practices in place in regards to the connector plug and other various items. However, we still need a common platform going forward.

Thanks for listening and please chime in if you have comments or suggestions.

For more articles on a variety of aspects fleet maintenance and leadership please see https://mcbconsulting.com/blog/

For more inspirational quotes and percepts please see https://www.passiton.com

Tire Compounds

Compounding coupled with tread design are two (2) very important factors when it comes to selecting and applying tires to a specific application and both have improved immensely in the past few years. Additionally, manufactures have attempted to partner to a much greater degree than in the past where it was primarily a customer/vendor relationship. They attempt to educate the customer better in hopes the education will assist in the performance of their respective product  in their respective application. However, they still refrain from educating the customer on this one (1) kernel of information that would tip the scales. And from my perspective it all leads to poor management and leadership, which falls into the casing of integrity, trust and respect. (Pun intended.)

Tire pressure monitoring and tire inflation systems didn’t pop on the market because some engineer got a wild hair up his ass. No, they came from where most things come from and that is necessity is the mother of invention, and they were invented for several reasons.

One (1) of the topics the article hits on is compounding and it is the compounding that provides traction while simultaneously attempting having minimal rolling resistance for optimal fuel efficiency. That is one tough challenge to meet and how it accomplishes this tire must breath in order to adapt to atmospheric conditions.

Perfectly Good Tires Lose Air!

As such, that kernel of information the manufacturers don’t won’t you to know is the perfectly good tires loose air. If the compound was as such that it didn’t lose air you sure as hell wouldn’t want to ride on them must less take a curve on a rainy night in Georgia. Have you ever noticed that some car breaks down and they park it somewhere and it sits there for several years before the tires go down. That is due the only change in temperature of the tires being ambient atmospheric  conditions because they are not getting hot and cold from use and the more they are used the more air they will lose. Commercial truck tires will lose two (2) to four (4) psi per month and car tires will lose 1 to 2 psi. if used regularly

The next factor playing out in this mystery is that oils have also improved dramatically over the last ten (10) years. Just as passenger cars and light trucks have progressed from the staple of 3000 miles to 7500 miles and commercial applications have gone to as much as 50,000 between drain and fill. Personally 50k is frigging stretching it with some of the clowns that are out there operating the equipment. As such, a commercial truck tire has the potential of loosing 20 to 25 psi between PMI’s. Somewhere around the loss of 10 psi you start damaging the tire and casing depending of course on application as well as atmospheric and environmental conditions.  The other thing that amazes me that many have knew for years that oil should be changed at three (3) months or three thousand miles whichever comes first. Ask one mechanic why three (3) months and you will get the deer in the headlights look like you’ve never seen, but I know you know the answer to this this so I won’t bore you.

Tire Monitoring Systems

Wah-lah, tire monitoring and tire pressure inflation system appear in order to attempt to solve this problem and capture this opportunity. The one system out there with the greatest potential from my perspective is the one that increases as well as decreases the air pressure as required by conditions. That system once the bugs are worked out of it coupled with these improved compounds and applying the correct thread design to the application I would think without any road hazards the casing would last ten (10) to (12) years.

Integrity, Trust, Respect, and ultimately Leadership.

My passion for tires developed during the 90’s when the quality movement had put promotions to a stretching halt and this guy said he couldn’t recommend me for a promotion because he I didn’t know enough about tires. Well, I delved into it and uncovered all the things the manufactures were and were not telling us. This, from my perspective tittered on an deep underlying integrity issue, which naturally escalates to respect, trust and of course leadership.  From my perspective, if the tire manufacturers would be upfront and explain to God and industry that their perfectly good tires lose air and why, they would gain the respect they are so desperately seeking and along with it would be recognized for their integrity. XYZ tires could do just this and in turn capture some of the OEM market share they are attempting to gain.

Now for the most important portion of this response. I’m honored that we have started this regular back and forth dialog and you know how I like to speak and write about these problems / opportunities facing the industry. However, that is nothing compared to hearing that you are recovering from surgery and you are back on the mend.

Be well my friend!

p.s. If you see a car or truck with low tires you can bet it needs an oil change.

For more articles on a variety of aspects fleet maintenance and leadership please see https://mcbconsulting.com/blog/

For more inspirational quotes and percepts please see https://www.passiton.com

How long has it been since you ran into or worse yet force to work with someone that is just down right miserable? For whatever reason life didn’t serve them up the bowl of cheerios they naturally thought they deserved. I personally attempt to spend as little time around these individuals because we all are products of our environment and if you are around them too long, no matter how hard you try, they will eventually rub off on you. Be what it may, “Trucking Through Life” I’ve had to downshift and put the pedal to the metal in order to move past these individuals and leave them in my rearview mirror. But here is what I learned while passing them. First you must choose to be happy. Secondly, you have to make it happen. And thirdly, you must have a happy personal life in order to ever have a happy and successful professional career, if that is what you want. Problems in your personal life no matter what they are will always come back and haunt your work life. So what did I learn when I passed them up, I learned that all of them had an unhappy personal life be it love, money, alcohol or a combination of all three.  Charlie Chaplin lived a happy life for 88 years and he left us with these four (4) profound statements:

1. Nothing is forever in this world, even our problems.
2. I love to walk in the rain because no one can see my tears.
3. The most lost day in life is the day we don’t laugh.
4. Six (6) of the best doctors in the world:
   1. Sun
   2. Rest
   3. Exercise
   4. Diet
   5. Self-respect
   6. Friends

Personally I feel sorry for those who never find personal or professional happiness, all you can do it set the best example you can be by remaining positive no matter what what your current serving of cheerios might be. David Rossi stated “Scars remind us where we’ve been. They don’t have to dictate where we’re going.

More articles like this one can be found https://mcbconsulting.com/blog/

More positive quotes can be found at https://www.passiton.com

Thanks for listening, I hope you enjoyed the ride.

—Stephen R. Covey (born 1932) – Motivational Writer

“The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People“

When Stephen’s book the “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” first came out I was at a point in life when I didn’t think I knew it all but I thought I’d captured enough knowledge to move to the next level. As such, the first pass at reading the book some of the knowledge was lost in my ego.  Some of the habits such as “Be Proactive“, “Begin With the End in Mind“, “Put First Things First” and even ” Sharpen the Saw” I thought I was already doing or so I thought. I read each and every chapter with the mindset that I’m already doing some of this stuff, what can I learn from it. From there I went on to bigger and better things until on day someone gave me the pocket addition of”The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People“. I carried it around in my pocket until one day I was waiting for a plane and I pulled it out. I then started read everything I’d missed the first time around. The summations were excellent and the chapters such as “Think Win Win“, “Seek First to Understand, Then Be Understood” and “Synergize” started to really make sense. As such, I pulled my copy off the shelf and began to read with an open mind what I had missed on the first pass.

Yes, there are many challenges created when dealing with other individuals who have different values, ideals, and goals than ourselves and this itself creates adversity. However, the lesson here is that our biggest opposition can be ourselves and the only way we can overcome the challenges is to realize the problem lies within and we must step out of our comfort zone. As such, I highly recommend “The Severn Habits of Highly Effective People” and “The Eighth Habit”  which pertains to finding your own voice and inspiring others to do the same.

Thanks for listening.

A very good review of his book can be found: https://www.franklincovey.com/the-7-habits.html

More articles on a variety of subjects can be found at my Elephant Ear blog:  https://mcbconsulting.com/blog/

—F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) American Author

This quote means a lot to me due to the fact that we’ve all arrived at places in our lives when we looked up and the curb was staring us in the face and we had to reach down and pick ourselves up by the bootstraps. Finding the strength to get up can be tough when it is so much easier to waddle there and feel sorry for ourselves and complain about not only our current situation and every other thing that doesn’t conform to our beliefs. However, we all know that getting up and building a new life is where true happiness resides. First and foremost no matter what you employer wants you to believe you must have a happy personal life (home life) in order to ever be successful in your career endeavors. You can chase that almighty dollar till the cows come home however, an unhappy personal life will catch up with you and run over you harder than a south bound train. I personally had to learn this lesson the hard way and its not fun. I thought that train was the worse thing that ever happened to me, however, it proved to be the best thing that could have taken place.  Today, due to the pandemic many are having to find new ways to make a living while others are learning to working from home while contending with home life responsibilities up to an including assisting with their children’s academic needs. My hat is off to everyone who is successfully adapting to these new challenges. And for those who aren’t my sincere hope is that if just one (1) person reads this an it improves their journey as they “Truck Through Life” I will have succeeded in my endeavor.

Have a blessed day and thanks for listening.

You can find other articles and quotes at https://mcbconsulting.com/blog/

White papers can be found at https://mcbconsulting.com/white-papers/

White paper can also be found at https://www.minimizer.com/whitepaper-download/

—John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) 6th Us President

This quote has assisted me through many of challenging projects when change was necessary to the success of the organization. The challenge is usually not convincing the front-line employees but training middle-management to understand that if they fail to change the demise of the organization is inevitable. Thank for listening.

More articles and information on this any many other leadership topics can be found at https://mcbconsulting.com & https://www.minimizer.com/whitepaper-download/