By Mark Warren, Training Coordinator/Consultant
Texas Association of Counties
In the history of auto racing, the name A.J. Foyt has become synonymous with the best in the field. He is the only driver in history to win these crown jewels of motor sports: the Indy 500, the Daytona 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. There will never be another like this unique native Texan.
This story began when my son, Ash, was about 7 or 8 years old, and we were in the car driving somewhere. Now and again, another car close to us would make some dumb or dangerous move and I’d exclaim, “Did you see that guy? Wow – that was a dumb thing to do!” Then I’d follow with “Hey, I’m not A.J. Foyt, but even I know not to do that!” Over the years, “I’m not A.J. Foyt” became a common reference for people doing dumb things when they clearly should know better, as in “Nice going, A.J.!”
Later on, it crossed over into customer service. I wondered, is it really that hard to get an order right, start or finish a job on time, make correct change or do, in fact, what your advertising claims? I know we’ve all heard “it’s not brain surgery” before venting similar exasperation.
After my son, now 28 years old, became a grown man and out on his successful own, something caused me to fire off, “I’m not A.J. Foyt” once again. He turned and asked, “Dad, please tell me - who is A.J. Foyt, anyway?” And that’s what inspired this article. Maybe we shouldn’t assume that things we once considered simple, a reflex, or common knowledge should be universal. With each passing generation, values should be re-taught so that the new appreciate and adopt the value of some of the old.
Foyt shares a characteristic with athletes, leaders, and competitors who make their living in the arena. They focus on the future. Future is all that matters. Great successes and great victories require great vision. They know that no one can change the past, so dwelling or pining is futile and wasted effort. The only hope is to try to make the next race, the next event, the next day better. Foyt said: “It’s nice that people want to look back at some of the things that I’ve accomplished over the years, but to be truthful, I like to focus on what’s ahead. We’re going to have a really good year.”
In 1948, Harold L. Smith began teaching an eye-mind coordination driving program that he had developed after observing how the eyes work and related that to how drivers respond to what they see on the road. It was called “5 Keys to Space Cushion Driving,” and over time, has become known throughout the world as the Smith System.
1. Aim high in steering. Avoid collisions by seeing, evaluating, and acting upon on all the information available.
2. Get the big picture. Fewer mistakes are made when you have the complete traffic picture.
3. Keep your eyes moving. Proper scanning techniques separate safe drivers from people who make costly and daily errors.
4. Leave yourself an out. All that separates drivers from collisions is space. Use it to your advantage.
5. Make sure they see you. Seek eye contact and use warning devices at the proper time.
Relationship rules of the road – for life, work, and leadership:
1. Aim high in steering: Recruit, hire, and especially promote people with good people skills and who value serving others. No longer assume that the way we’ve always done it is the way it will always be done.
2. Get the big picture: Enhance the work culture and professionalism by teaching others how to avoid the “Peter Principle.” Stay grounded in the moment, but always keep your eyes on the horizon.
3. Keep your eyes moving: Model, mentor, and motivate others to follow the three “R’s": Respect self, Respect others, and take Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Leave yourself an out: In driving, all that separates drivers from collisions is space. In any relationship, our interpersonal communication skills may be all that separates negative conflict from positive conflict. Remember, the best two-way communicator is one who “seeks first to understand, then to be understood.”
5. Make sure they see you: Learn to value social skills and good manners. They are, as Emily Post once wrote, the most visible sign of one’s innate character and attitude toward life.