A while ago, I received one of the best gifts a car lover could ever get: a full day of driving and instruction on a famous racecourse in my own car. Not only would I learn how to master the turns and straights as a racing driver, but I would also learn how my car handled at the extremes, which would make me a better and safer driver. I started with a 7 a.m. meeting with my private “co-pilot,” a professional racing instructor and high-speed trainer for law enforcement agencies. This is a synopsis of what I learned about leadership from one day with a brave man sitting in my passenger seat.
After exchanging pleasantries and having my car inspected for track safety, I was ready to hit the driver’s seat. Instead, we hit the classroom. I quickly noted the leadership method applied at this course: Tell, Show, Do, Review (do again, review, do again, review). We sat at a table for an hour with notebooks and pencils as the chief instructor went over the racetrack in detail, five times. Before we left the room, I knew more about the turns, straights, and surface than I thought possible. Then came the real fun.