Lessons Learned from my Lyft Driver

During a recent trip back home, I struck up a conversation with the gentleman driving the car, Gopalreddy. After talking about his time in America and his home in India, we discussed everything from farming to computers. When I began to explain my passion about mentorship and teaching people the importance of it, he immediately brought up advice he’d received from his first mentor when he started driving. His examples were applicable to all of us and it’s amazing the lessons we can each teach each other.

1.       Be patient in all situations. Gopalreddy stated once a passenger was running late. He jumped in the car and started barking for him to go faster. He said, if I drive faster then I might get a ticket. If I get a ticket then you may be 30 minutes late, and not five. Plus, then I’ll have to pay the fine for speeding. Please, do not push your failing to plan onto me.

2.       Be polite. It does not take a lot to show kindness to each person who steps into my car. If I act pleasant and begin with a kind remark, most people return that feeling too. It’s much easier to invite someone into your space with a smile and kind word. Then they can decide if they want to have a conversation with me or not. Gopalreddy said he was always ready to talk to people because that was the best part of his job.

3.       Don’t rub your mistakes on other people. Going back to the first point, the late rider. Let’s say he leaves no tip and his anger was just present throughout the whole ride. Gopalreddy said he must be ready to think of each new person in a new light. He asked me to imagine if he’d carried on the feeling that customer gave him to his next client and so on, and so forth. For the whole day he might let that one bad rider ruin an opportunity with the rest of his riders.

4.       You are the driver. Despite what happens to you in the car, you can impact how each person gets safely to their destination. In life, Gopalreddy was assuredly convicted that he was the driver of his car, his future, and his destiny. His control of the situation, in his car, made a difference as he drove people around Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

What great advice. The best part about all of this advice gathered by a 20-year-old Indian driver is that he said his mentor gave it to him when he started driving. A 40-year-old African American woman, taught this mentee these lessons and he’d held onto them for several years. This demonstrable impact palpably shone through this young man as he navigated through rough DC traffic. It made me think about the context I’d place his same advice into as I advise you, my mentee.

1.       Be patient in all situations. As you demonstrate patience with other people in life, do the same for yourself. You’re learning and it takes time. Show patience to yourself and to others you are training too. It will help you keep your head about you.

2.       Be polite. The easiest way to sniff out an inauthentic person is how they treat the janitor, receptionist, or the waitstaff. Simply demonstrating politeness to all of those around you and it will be returned in kind.

3.       Don’t rub your mistakes on other people. The saying shit rolls downhill, immediately came to mind here. Sometimes when you’re at the bottom, it seems to all pile up on you. As a mentee or mentor recognize that your actions have an impact. Showing up angry at the first meeting of the day could set a tone for others. Take each new opportunity to start fresh.

4.       You are the driver. What great advice for life. You really are the driver and control your destiny. With that in mind, drive the path to find your greatness.