Last Friday, on our way to my nephew’s wedding weekend, one of our cars wasn’t sounding so great so Doug turned around and came back to get our other car. In doing so, it really changed the timing from, “We should be arriving early,” to “I hope we get there on time.” As a result, Doug’s driving changed a little bit, too.

Driving in the back seat, like Clare and I were, does not have the same feel as driving the car or even being in the passenger seat. There’s something a little more herky-jerky about the back seat, plus you can’t really see the full view of the road, which I think changes a lot for those riding in the back as well. As a result, Clare and I started to feel a little car sick. 

Drivers don’t always understand how it feels to be in the back seat because it’s not their experience. Leaders often have the same problem, they don’t really know what it’s like to be following because you can’t follow yourself—but you can ask. Drivers and passengers have completely different experiences, so do leaders and followers. Clare and I spoke up, but most followers won’t. So if you’re a leader, take a minute to ask, “How is my ‘driving’?” “What could I be doing differently?” “Herky-jerky” isn’t what anyone is striving for, but you’ll never know unless you ask. 

Let’s GO! WE GOT THIS!
BETH
P.S. Doug’s driving was great, BTW, it was simply being in the backseat that was the problem.