Author: T. Ellis

In this increasingly digital, impersonal world, it often seems that no one knows how, or cares, to make human connections anymore. Seemingly gone are the days of a friendly wave to a fellow driver or an offer of help without being asked. Here are some reasons for the decline in common courtesy we see today.

The Rise of Digital Communications –

• Social media and other online platforms, often touted as great ways to interact with others, have paradoxically created a generation of people who have no idea how to interact face-to-face with others. Online anonymity can lead to the airing of ideas that some would never say in person. Becoming accustomed to this kind of unrestrained speech can lead to some to be impersonal, impolite, or even rude when dealing with others in in-person interactions. The digital world has also lowered our attention spans. Think of a time you were having a conversation and felt the need to tune out and check your device. It happens more often than you might think.

Fast-Paced Lifestyles

• It’s easy to get caught up focusing only on your next task at hand, running through everything you have to do next and just focusing on getting to that point. This isn’t Mayberry, after all. Business must move quickly to survive, but constantly focusing on your busy schedule can lead to neglect of those around you and diminish your personal connections. Studies have shown that taking time to smell the proverbial roses can benefit you by lowering stress and increasing happiness.

Cultural Changes

• Evolving cultural norms and expectation have placed more emphasis on the individual and self-esteem at the expense of traditional communal values. This can lead to self-absorption and a lack of consideration for others, as well as social ineptitude and impoliteness.

The Increasing Ubiquity of AI

• AI is everywhere now, and it’s replacing people in many situations. As a planner, I’ve recently booked loads with AI robots over the phone. They sound much like humans and can do almost anything a human can over the phone, minus the humanity and grammatical errors. While we can see the value they bring to a company, dealing with robots can certainly diminish one’s ability to interact with actual humans in the real world.

When everyone else seems to have their eyes glued to their devices, here are some ways you can bring some humanity and common nicety back to your world.

Practice Active Listening

• This involves ignoring distractions and paying undivided attention to someone when they are speaking, actively absorbing what they are saying, acknowledging their input and providing feedback.

Use Basic Manners

• Simply being polite by saying “please” and “thank you” can make a big difference in showing appreciation. Maintain situational/social awareness by thinking about how your actions affect others in public spaces. You can also show courtesy by respecting others’ personal spaces.

Practice Patience and Understanding

• Sometimes it’s difficult to be patient, especially in stressful situations, but having control over your emotions and behavior and being considerate to others during trying times can go a long way to diffusing anger and handling tough situations. Anger and impatience don’t solve problems, they just exacerbate them.

Perform Random Acts of Kindness

• Offering support to another driver struggling to get hooked or get backed into a dock or giving directions or suggestions can have a big impact on someone else’s day, and it will increase your own happiness and wellbeing.

Small action and positive interactions will strengthen company culture if they are turned into daily habits. These actions are contagious; if you want to change the culture, lead by example.

Your actions, professional and personal, DO affect how your company and associates are perceived. Almost no one can remain anonymous anymore. The ubiquity of smart phones and social media has allowed for every facet of a person’s life to become public. The consequences of bad personal character on company reputation can be far-reaching. Here are some actions that indicate poor character.

Negative Reviews

If you’ve ever taken a look at a job-posting board, you will notice a section with company reviews, written by former and/or current employees. Those reviews certainly have an effect on one’s willingness to apply to or work with said company. Always take into account what you say about a company. Are you speaking from a point of rationality or emotion? Scorned former employees may think they’re getting even, but they rarely consider that future employers can see how they act with previous employers and take that into considering when hiring. Are you exhibiting an image or professionalism or pettiness? Your actions in the personal and social sphere will reflect upon your conduct and reliability in the professional world.

Inappropriate Content, Cyberbullying, or Harassment

Maintaining a professional and courteous social presence can be crucial to the reputation of your company. You may think that your actions in your personal life and professional life should be mutually exclusive. While that may be the ideal, it just doesn’t work that way. What happens in your personal sphere, especially in the exhibitionism of modern social media, nothing stays in the dark. It’s easy to think that your personal behavior is your own business, but keep in mind that everything you do and say also reflects upon your company, for bad or good. The character of a company is built and maintained by the actions of its employees and leaders. It can take years to build a good reputation but sometimes only a single bad decision to ruin one.

Repercussions of Poor Character

Loss of Customers or other Business Opportunities

Reputation is everything; research has shown that close to 90% of customers read company reviews online before making purchasing decisions. It follows that larger customers do the same research when looking into trucking companies to hire.

High Employee Turnover and Recruiting Difficulty

As a driver, you come into contact with lots of other drivers, from within and outside of, the company. Showing integrity and good personal character is a great way to recruit as it shows other drivers who may want to find a new company what they can expect.

How to Foster Good Character in Employees

Employers should focus on creating a workplace where employees are comfortable sharing feedback with managers as opposed to public displays of grievance. Not only does this allow the company to address issues in a constructive manner but it also avoids opportunities for reputations, of both company AND employee, to be damaged in a fit of anger.

Employers should also set clear expectations in regards to employee behavior. Because drivers are the public face of the company, so to speak, it’s essential that managers should outline what behaviors are acceptable in order to maintain a positive environment and good reputation. Always keep in mind, you never know who may be watching your behavior and associating it with your company.

Professional drivers face new challenges every day, such as weather changes, tight delivery windows, unexpected detours, or equipment issues. While no one can predict what the road will bring, what sets great drivers apart is their ability to take initiative and solve problems independently while keeping safety and professionalism at the forefront.

Be Proactive, Not Reactive

The best time to solve a problem is before it starts, and that begins with preparation. Taking initiative means anticipating challenges and setting yourself up for success before you ever hit the road.

Trip planning

Trip planning is one of the most important habits of a professional driver. Before you start your day, review your route; check the weather and traffic, and plan safe, legal parking, fuel, and rest stops, with backup options in mind. Careful planning gives you flexibility when things don’t go as expected and helps prevent last-minute, stressful decisions.

Pre-Trip Inspections

Inspecting your equipment before you roll out helps identify potential issues early, reducing the risk of breakdowns or delays later in the day. Addressing small problems before they become big ones keeps you on track and your truck in top shape.

By thinking ahead and preparing for what could happen, you stay in control and avoid unnecessary setbacks. A few extra minutes spent planning and inspecting can save hours of frustration down the road.

Stay Resourceful When Challenges Arise

Even the best-laid plans can change on the road. When faced with an obstacle, pause and assess your options before reacting. Think: What can I control right now? Being resourceful might mean finding an alternate route, contacting dispatch with clear details, or making a safe, temporary adjustment to your plan. Your ability to stay calm and solution-focused helps keep freight moving and ensures safety remains the top priority.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Taking initiative doesn’t mean doing it all alone. Strong problem-solvers know when to reach out for support. Communicating quickly and clearly with your Driver Manager, Maintenance, or Safety team can make a big difference.

For instance, some drivers have shared challenges finding parking near shippers or receivers late in the evening. Because they spoke up, Driver Managers were able to secure parking closer to their destination, preventing early shutdowns.

When reaching out, share facts, not frustrations — what’s happening, where you are, and what you’ve tried. Clear communication builds trust and helps your team respond efficiently.

Learn from Every Situation

Each challenge you face on the road is an opportunity to grow. Reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and how you can apply that lesson next time. Over time, this mindset builds confidence and independence, qualities that make you a stronger, more capable driver.

Represent Professionalism Through Action

Taking initiative and solving problems the right way not only helps you succeed but also strengthens the entire team. When you lead by example, others take notice. Whether you’re mentoring a newer driver or representing the company on the road, professionalism and proactive problem-solving show pride in your work and respect for the industry.

Remember: Every challenge is a chance to demonstrate your skill, patience, and professionalism. By thinking ahead, communicating effectively, and staying resourceful, you help ensure success for yourself, your team, and the entire company.