By When you think of truck driving, you think of spending long hours alone behind the wheel of a truck. You think of being away from home for weeks or months at a time. The last thing you think about are relationships. But believe it or not, the relationships a truck driver develops can make or break a career.
Trucking is indeed about getting cargo from point A to point B on time. But succeeding as a truck driver is not possible without having certain, key relationships solidly in place. A breakdown in any one of these relationships can lead to significant headaches that, if not properly addressed, can escalate into serious problems that could destroy a career.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the key relationships that make a truck driver successful. Whether you are new to the industry or a seasoned driver, remember that your relationships are all you have at the end of the day. The biggest paycheck in the world cannot compensate for broken relationships.
Drivers and Dispatchers
A driver’s most important relationship in strict working terms is the relationship with his or her dispatcher. It is the dispatcher’s responsibility to arrange loads, schedule pickups and drop-offs, and generally keep the wheels turning under a driver’s truck.
When drivers and dispatchers work well together, magic happens. Things quickly fall apart when they cannot seem to get along. Therefore, the best thing a driver can do for his or her career is nurture a healthy and respectful relationship with the dispatcher, even if that dispatcher is not someone the driver would invite home for dinner.
Drivers and Suppliers
Truck drivers deal with all kinds of suppliers that make life on the road easier. Take the flatbed truck driver, for example. He or she might rely on a company like Ohio-based Mytee Products for all the necessary cargo control supplies. This would include bungee straps, corner and edge protectors, ratchet straps, poly and canvas tarps, and even headache racks.
Developing healthy relationships with suppliers puts those suppliers in the driver’s corner. Suppliers will go out of their way to help drivers they know are loyal, easy to work with, and willing to pay on time. They will not do the same for drivers they see as being bad for businesses.
Drivers and Family Members
While a driver’s relationship with his or her dispatcher may be the most critical in strict working terms, no relationship is more important than the one a driver has with family members. This is especially true for long-haul truckers who spend so much time away from home. That time away can be destructive if drivers do not make a concerted effort to nurture and develop strong family ties.
Keeping family relationships strong begins and ends with making time for partners and children. Making time may not be easy, but it is necessary. More importantly, making time is very possible if a driver really wants to do it.
Making time while out on the road can be as simple as a nightly phone call to talk to the spouse and kids. It can include emailing photos or describing some unique event that happened during the day. Making time while at home means doing things like having dinner together, spending a few hours at the park, or doing whatever the family enjoys doing.
Beyond the rough-and-tumble appearance many truck drivers display are key relationships that are critically important to their careers. Putting effort into those relationships increases the chances of long-term career success. Ignoring them almost always guarantees failure.
