Collision of Autobiographies
In the United States alone, some 94% of annual car accidents (over 2 million of them) are the result of human error (U.S., DOT). This staggering statistic is a huge catalyst for the self-driving car movement.
I’m cautiously optimistic that self-driving vehicles will save many lives in the future.
Unfortunately, self-driving technology won’t save us from a different collision that is happening in our daily lives at work and home. This is the collision of autobiographies. I know there have been plenty of times where my focus on me, myself, and I collides directly with someone else’s concern for self. Neither of us benefit from these encounters. Fortunately, I don’t have to wait for an advancement in technology to avoid future “accidents.”
I simply need to:
- Hit pause
- Become more aware of my mindset and behaviors
- Set aside my desire to impress others or be heard first
- Make an effort to listen to others first (really listen)
If I (we) can figure this out, I think we will go a long way toward avoiding lots of collisions today, tomorrow, and into the future.
Photo by Hao Zhang on Unsplash
Patrick Leddin, PhD is a speaker, global leadership consultant, and The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Five-Week Leadership Challenge. Patrick is an Associate Professor at Vanderbilt University with a thriving leadership blog and podcast, and 25-years of leadership experience. He offers an unparalleled mix of academic rigor and real-world experience.