Roeth: Three rules for complaining about changes

Lately, I seem to be running across people who want to gripe about something but then don’t seem to want to engage in a dialogue to try to resolve the issue. Frankly, I am tired of it. I'm so tired that I have created a few suggestions, maybe even rules, for people to follow when they consider complaining about the challenges we face.

Rule #1: Frame your complaints with data and engage in constructive dialogue

Avoid making vague complaints without following up or engaging in further discussion. When you have a complaint, ensure that you clearly state your concern and support it with relevant facts and data. And then listen to what others have to say about the problem.

Rule #2: Expand your perspective by considering diverse fleet experiences and industry insights

Don’t just seek out information that supports your point of view. Get out of your silo and listen to people whose points of view differ from your own. Consider alternative information, and even if it doesn't change your mind, you will be better informed to discuss the issues the industry is facing. The new information you acquire might help you solve your problem.

Rule #3: Shift focus from problems to solutions

If you are not working on solutions to the problems the industry is currently facing, you are part of the problem. In order for us to move toward a cleaner freight future, we need everyone in the industry to share their experiences. So, focus on solutions, not just the presenting problem.

The good news is that a wealth of information and data is available for you to access and use to educate yourself. It might very well bolster your opinion, but could also provide a different view. Not to brag, but the metrics from Run on Less – Messy Middle are a good place to start educating yourself. I say that because this Run—like the previous four Runs—provides real-world data. This time, it encompasses all the common decarbonization technologies.

The Geotab devices on the 14 trucks in the Run are sharing actual operational data, which we then display on the dashboard for each fleet. The complete dataset from the Run will be made available to the public in the next few weeks. This is not data that has been manipulated to favor one solution over another. The data is showing exactly how the trucks performed on their daily routes.

Of course, NACFE is not the only source of information, and I encourage you to consult with others. Perhaps if you are a staunch BEV advocate, you can reach out to a fleet that operates its trucks on natural gas. If you don’t believe that battery or fuel cell electric are part of the decarbonization solution, you can talk to a fleet that is operating on renewable diesel or biodiesel and thereby reducing emissions.

One of the benefits of being in trucking’s Messy Middle is that many fleets are investing in alternative powertrain solutions to determine how they perform in various applications. Instead of griping about the challenges we as an industry are facing, take time to talk to people who are taking actual steps to solve the problem. Once you do that, maybe you too can stop being part of the problem and become part of the solution.