Last time, we focused on analytics and its impact on coaching and a fleet’s overall safety culture. In this final installment of the Coaching series, we’ll provide tips fleets can use today to take to the bank tomorrow!
NEXT-LEVEL PROGRAM
Make it Personal
- It’s important for fleets to get to know each driver personally and see beyond the stats they produce or truck numbers they operate.
- By creating a relationship based on mutual respect, both parties can work toward a common goal of safe driving and improving bottom line results.
- Remember to always communicate, educate, and reinforce when coaching drivers.
Coach Quickly and Frequently
- Coaching is most impactful when performed as close to the time of the event as possible, as actions and choices are fresh and top of mind.
- Daily coaching may be necessary depending on the number of drivers that need improvement, the number of coachable events, speed of improvement, etc.
- The Driver Mobile App facilitates self- and anywhere-coaching for drivers who may not be able to come to the office as often as desired. This allows events to be reviewed when it occurs rather than letting weeks or even months pass.
- Drivers typically become more involved in the coaching process over time and more receptive to feedback.
Don’t Make it Punitive
- It’s important to also focus on good driving skills. Calling drivers regularly to give a simple “good job” can make drivers feel valued and that their safe driving behavior doesn’t go unnoticed.
- Identify areas for improvement. Often fleets can let the video do the coaching by allowing drivers to visualize their incorrect driving behaviors.
- Tenured drivers often see bad behaviors for the first time when they see their own videos. By providing a visual aspect, it can help turn bad behaviors around in a short amount of time.
Measure & Reward Improvement
- Education is key when garnering driver buy-in and helping create and foster a positive safety culture. Let drivers know what impacts their safety score and how they can improve.
- Implement monetary and non-monetary recognition awards such as company BBQs or recognition in front of their peers.
Always Strive
for Continued Improvement
- Continue to coach risky behavior to lower driver and fleet safety scores
- Encourage friendly competition between coaches. For example: Who can have the best coaching effectiveness score; the most improved team of drivers; best team safety score; fewer videos triggered; etc.
- Encourage friendly competition between drivers to see who can have the best safety score, most improved safety score, or longest period in between coaching sessions.
- Continue to evolve other areas of your coaching program beyond video. Fleets should encourage positive health habits, provide training to improve skills, or offer tips to help drivers achieve new goals.
COACHING + VIDEO
The impact of coaching goes far beyond improving safety in a fleet. Most coaches state that consistent and professional coaching sessions build stronger relationships with their drivers. By having open and honest conversations, encouragement, commitment, and trust, fleets can create a better overall safety culture. Relationships are not built on happenstance conversations or one-way conversations; it takes time and commitment from both parties.
You’ve likely heard the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results. Unfortunately, that’s what many fleet managers do every day. For those without video safety, managers are training their drivers but continue to experience collisions, litigation, and no improvement. For those with video safety only, they see the same behaviors in video, but don’t coach their drivers and wonder why they continue to experience collisions and litigation.
SAFETY CULTURE
Coaching drivers—with video—is the best way to improve safety in a fleet. Not only will you experience fewer collisions (and near collisions), but you’ll experience savings throughout your fleet and an improved safety culture.
For more information:
Find further insights into coaching and download the eBook, “Coach Your Drivers to Safety and Success,” visit www.smartdrive.net.
