5 Lessons I Learned From a Matatu Driver At a ‘Cost’, But I Give To You Freely

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In the upper hemisphere of the year 2023, I got a work assignment that demanded a route and schedule change. The new company’s culture demanded that every employee be at the workstation by 7:30 am. My job description made this need even more significant. With this in mind, every minute during the working days counted. Every morning, I raced against time and traffic. 

During this period, I learned essential life skills I want to give you for free.

It will help you in your business. It will help you in your organization as a leader. Very importantly, it will be helpful in your daily life as you learn how to relate with people.

I learned these lessons from my public service vehicle (Matatu) driver. Yes, I established a single driver with whom I did business every morning. 

How and why did I enter this strange arrangement?

As you already know, the new work engagement required me to be in the office earlier. This was before the average reporting time of 8 am.

Another concern was the extra distance, as I had to cover almost 43km every morning to get to my workstation. I needed a dedicated logistics provider. They had to drop me to my destination at 7:00 every morning for me to meet my targets.

This is quite hard if you need to use a PSV. Most Matatus on this route stop at every stage. They often make futile attempts to woo those not interested in going the same direction to board their vehicles. My dedicated driver solved all these, and I signed up to use his services every morning. 

Let me share with you the lessons I learned from my Driver.

We’ll cover:

1. First Impression Matters
2. Speak to People in Their Terms 
3. Use and Be Used
4. Timing Can Be All You Needed
5. Do Exactly What You Say You Will Do
6. Conclusion

Let’s kick it off with the power of the first impression.

First Impression Matters

There is power in the first impression.

First impression refers to the initial opinion we form of other people, objects, or scenes. It’s often based on assumptions, value judgments and physical observations and can be influenced by several factors.

Factors like:

• Visual: Your body language plus facial expressions.
• Verbal: The words you speak.
• Vocal: The way you say the words you say, including inflection.
• Emotional state: Your general emotional state.

Most businesses always feel that they need to build good relations with a customer first. Then they start granting them some perks.

I find that quite mediocre. They miss out on gaining from the power of first impressions.

Any business keen on customer retention should strive to treat all its customers well. Yet extra attention should be put on novel clientele. When people have a wow experience on their first engagement, they will come again.

This is what Vinny did to me. The first time I used his 14-seater commuter minibus, I reached my destination at 7:00 am. Before that, I had experienced a series of fluctuations with other drivers. I was impressed, and I needed no persuasion to hire his services again.

The opinion you evoke from people when they first interact with you sinks deep. Use it to your advantage.

Speak to People in Their Terms 

There is one thing which is common across all people—it is what they want or need that matters.

Knowing and applying this will make a huge difference if you want to win clients or make friends. It is vain to try to get what you want from people. They are smart and opportunistic. If you wish their attention and commitment, speak to people on their terms. Address their needs, and you have them.

I don’t know who informed him, but my driver, Vinny, knew I needed to be at my destination at 7:00. This gave me a convenient time allowance to walk comfortably to the workstation.

That is all he told me. He avoided saying the cliche of ‘mtu mmoja na gari inajaa’. This is loosely translated as one more passenger, and we are good to go. Every tout and driver says this cliche. 

Use and Be Used

Average minds only think of profits and benefits coming their way. When they start a friendship or business engagement, they focus solely on moneymaking. They also seek benefits from the acquired fraternity.

Unfortunately, no one is stupid or destined to be silly all the way through. When their time of ignorance has expired, they will go as far away from you as possible. Accept to use and be used. Some costs should come to you as you try to get something from the other party.

You will struggle believing it but it is true. There was a day when I was late. Coincidentally, my driver was also late. Instead of giving excuses and waiting forever, he covered 21km with me as the sole passenger.

On that day, my driver agreed to be used. For all other days, he had me as a sure client whom he needed not to woo. If two potential clients were walking towards his vehicle, and I happened to be one of them, he would try to convince the other party. He knew mine was a done deal. 

Sometimes it’s your turn to spend, other times you ride freely.

Timing Can Be All You Needed

Everything is beautiful at its time.

Proper timing reduces risks. It also eases the burden of having to shoulder more costs. Additionally, it eliminates the need to prove a point. Time and tides wait for no man, and it didn’t for our engagement.

Vinny knew when to arrive at the stage, and I knew when to be there as well. This made it easier for us to do business every morning. Whatever you want to achieve in life, timing is key.

Do you want a spouse, a new client, or catch a flight? The timing can prove all you need to make a difference. 

Do Exactly What You Say You Will Do

Have you seen people who promise big things, but when you sign up for their services, they have nothing much to offer? You need to be weak in the mind to trust them again.

Trust is like an egg, delicate and forever lost when broken. It is okay to promise small things and do small things rather than promise bigger things that you can’t provide.

People don’t get mad at you because what you offered was not good enough. They get mad because you provided way below what you promised.

With Vinny, I can declare that I, for once, met a sincere Matatu driver. He always kept his word, and that made all the difference. 

Keep your word. Do exactly what you say you will do, and you have people’s trust and respect.

Conclusion

Dealing with people is a skill that is not taught anywhere but is needed everywhere.

Dealing with people is more like fishing. It is madness to try catching fish with a baitless hook. A good hook needs bait.

Introduce an appropriate bait to your hook. You will find yourself a fisher of men.