Hey MM,

I was in the car alone for the first time since I learned how to drive.

My brother was going out with a friend, and I volunteered to drop him off at the estate gate.

‘Are you sure?’ He asked. ‘You’d be coming back alone.’

‘Yeah, I’m sure,’ I replied, muttering a God help me beneath my breath and trying to get my confidence up before I back out.

‘Okay. I’m confident you can do it. You’ve driven out of the estate and onto the main road, so you can do this. It will also help you gain more confidence.’

That was what I needed to hear, and there was no way I was going to chicken out. I put my Learner’s sign on the car, and we drove off.

When I dropped him off, he said, ‘Now you can go.’

And I went back home all by myself, adding to my driving confidence streak. I got home, parked the car, and sent a picture with a ‘Home and parked by myself’ message.

Why does this matter to you, MM? Because you’re like my brother, and your team members or new hires are like me.

‘How do I mean?’ You may ask.

You play the role of trainer and guide for your team or a new hire, and at some point, you want them to take on challenges confidently without needing your constant guidance.

And like me, maybe they’re ready to take the leap, but they’re still unsure and need a confidence boost. It’s your confidence in them that gives them courage. And boy, would you be surprised at what they can achieve.

Maybe today, someone on your team is still driving with their Learner’s sign on. Maybe all they need to hear is, ‘Now you can go.’ And when they do, don’t be surprised when they send you a message that says, ‘Home and parked by myself.’