The Power Of Positive Reinforcement

I had a really upbeat experience today. I went into a Schneider OC in Indianapolis late afternoon. I had to drop my trailer for a relay. I did my set up and then backed up near the space I needed to be in. Then I did my GOAL and walked around the right side of the truck to make sure I had enough space to continue chasing the trailer. I noticed a truck waiting for me to get out of the way, but I still took the time needed to be safe. I got backed in and I saw the other truck stop right in front of me and a guy got out of the passenger side and walked up to my window. Turns out he was one of the instructors at that OC. He said that he rarely sees a driver doing everything right and it was a good lesson for his student in the driver’s seat. Plus he said he had my truck number and was going to call my driver leader to commend me.

I’m not posting this to brag because I make plenty of mistakes. All I was doing is what I was taught, nothing more. But the positive reinforcement I got from this kind man who took the time to do what he did is something I will never forget. So remember, commendation is as valuable a tool as criticism, and arguably even more powerful.

Good experience! I don't G.O.A.L every time personally, only when I have any doubt in my mind I might be close to hitting something on my blindside.

Great lesson! Perfect timing too.

Bruce K Wrote

I had a really upbeat experience today. I went into a Schneider OC in Indianapolis late afternoon. I had to drop my trailer for a relay. I did my set up and then backed up near the space I needed to be in. Then I did my GOAL and walked around the right side of the truck to make sure I had enough space to continue chasing the trailer. I noticed a truck waiting for me to get out of the way, but I still took the time needed to be safe. I got backed in and I saw the other truck stop right in front of me and a guy got out of the passenger side and walked up to my window. Turns out he was one of the instructors at that OC. He said that he rarely sees a driver doing everything right and it was a good lesson for his student in the driver’s seat. Plus he said he had my truck number and was going to call my driver leader to commend me.

I’m not posting this to brag because I make plenty of mistakes. All I was doing is what I was taught, nothing more. But the positive reinforcement I got from this kind man who took the time to do what he did is something I will never forget. So remember, commendation is as valuable a tool as criticism, and arguably even more powerful.

Always doing the right thing when no one else is looking is the epitome of a Professional! Besides how many seconds does it take to G.O.A.L maybe 30 seconds to a minute?