Moving Truck to Moving Forward: How a Side Mirror Changed My Career
575 words | 4.6 Minutes
I recently came across my old commercial driver’s license (CDL) from 1995 – 30 years ago. Holding it brought back memories from my very first job in Dallas. I was fresh into the new city and stepped into the world of household goods moving and relocation—literally behind the wheel of a large moving truck.
I remember my supervisor telling me that if I wanted to be a manager, I needed to show the team inside the office that I could lead a moving crew… and the driver is the one that leads. This would require getting my CDL. So, I spent time preparing for the test, practicing in empty parking lots, shadowing seasoned drivers, and passed my test. Now, I was on my way as a manager trainee. It was a grind—long, hot summer days spent lifting heavy furniture and navigating unfamiliar roads and neighborhoods. But I was energized with my new role and ready to make my mark. I remember during my first week on the road, my dispatcher gave me a few small local delivery jobs to help me get comfortable driving the truck. I remember how excited I felt—finally behind the wheel and gaining confidence.
Here’s something you may not know about driving a moving truck: when making a left turn, you don’t just turn like you would in a car. You have to swing wide—go straight into the intersection before turning—to avoid hitting vehicles beside you.
There are just some lessons you have to learn the hard way – and this was one of them!
After one delivery, I was making a left turn at a stoplight driving back to the office. I checked my mirrors, made the wide turn, and continued driving. But in my passenger mirror, I noticed a man in a car waving at me, looked like he might have been shouting something, clearly trying to get my attention. I figured maybe my gas cap was off or a tire looked low and I was just around the corner from the office, so I kept driving and pulled into our company parking lot. The man followed me in—and he was not happy.
Turns out, during my turn, I had clipped his side mirror and knocked it clean off, “gulp!” He demanded to speak with my manager. My heart dropped. I remember thinking, This is it. Career over. License revoked. Jail time? My manager calmly came out, apologized, and assured the man that we’d pay to replace the mirror. Then he looked at me and simply said, “It’s okay. We’ll learn from this.” And I did. I learned to pay more attention to my mirrors—especially in intersections. I finished that summer strong, drove off and never had another incident. That early experience taught me responsibility, awareness, patience, and humility. It also gave me something I couldn’t see at the time: perspective. That truck wasn’t just a vehicle—it was a launchpad.
Fast forward 30 years, and my journey in relocation has taken me far beyond the driver’s seat. Today, I get to support companies, clients, and families navigating their own transitions as a sales executive. I serve on industry boards, speak at conferences, and work alongside the incredible people shaping mobility experiences across the U.S. and around the world. But it all started with a moving truck… and included a busted side mirror.
Funny how mistakes and failures in our career become foundational moments. We all have stories like this—challenges that grew us, mistakes that taught us, and moments that helped us find our lane. So now I’m curious… What’s your career story?
Quote of the Day: : “Success is filled with potholes of failures.” Kevin O’Leary
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This is "Move to Inspire" with Bruce Waller. For more resources—including relocation support, keynote speaking, leadership content, and the Life in the Leadership Lane podcast—visit www.BruceWaller.com. To connect directly, call 972-389-5673 or email bwaller@goarmstrong.com.