Articles

Winter Driving Has Lessons for Work

Jana M. Kemp

What a winter wonderland we’ve had for the last week with snow on the ground and continually falling. While driving between client sites I began thinking about how common-sense winter driving tips can be applied in our workplaces. See how well your organization is doing on the following items.

1. Clean the snow off of all of your windows. I’ve been amazed at the number of people driving with snow on every window except the front windshield. Safe driving requires seeing out of all available windows. Sound business practices include knowing the vision for the organization. When vision is obscured, lack of interest, lack of ability to accomplish work, and even physical danger in some work environments can occur. How can you improve the understanding of your vision?

2. Adjust your speed. Years ago I saved an image showing a curving road with this quote “Your direction is as crucial as your speed.” Trying to get somewhere fast may mean that you end up in the wrong place (for instance in the ditch or up against a telephone pole). This adage applies at work too. Trying to complete a project with speed and without all the right people involved and committed may mean that the project stalls and ends up being a failure. What adjustments need to be made in your project teams?

3. Allow for extra stopping distance. At work this means that when the going gets sloppy, it is time for a project or team meeting to determine what needs to happen next. Without time-outs for reorganizing work, teams often find themselves in a pile-up of competing and duplicated work.

4. Allow extra time for getting to your destination. When there’s ice and snow on the road, allow twice the time to get where you want to go. At work, what extra time is needed to complete tasks when you don’t have all of the resources you need to do things efficiently?

5. Pack emergency gear. When driving, this includes warm clothes, a shovel, boots, water, snack foods, flashlights, and vehicle emergency and first aid kits. At the office, who is responsible for keeping your first aid kit stocked? Also, update your list of contacts for workplace emergencies: certified CPR and First Aid people, evacuation contacts, and fire specialists. Post emergency numbers by every common-area telephone (including how to dial the number because some phone systems require you to dial 9-911).

ACTION ITEMS: 1. Check that your vision is clear. 2. Adjust your speed according to your environment. 3. Allow for stopping and redirecting your workflow. 4. Allow extra time for project completion when resources are scarce. 5. Keep your back-up plan updated and your first-aid kit stocked.
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Reprint Permission: The author is willing to grant reprint permissions. Please contact Jana Kemp: jana@janakemp.com or call 208-367-1701.