In life, let’s Drive Defensively with A Full View [video]

Risk has many shapes. You can be at risk from another object or entity, and seconds later, you can also create risk for another object/entity. Many years ago, Shell had a big billboard at Rumukrushi Port Harcourt junction with “Drive for others; become a defensive driver*”.

As an intern who did not have a driver’s license, I could not understand fully what Shell was saying. How do you drive for others? But later in NYSC when I got my driver’s license, and started driving, I learnt the core of that message: getting home safely requires thinking for the other drivers!

That takes me to the construct of co-opetition and win-win where dominance is not the desired outcome, but mildly thriving together within the spirit of ubuntu. These animals did a very dangerous crossing, posing risks to the motorists. The motorists also posed risks to them  especially if there’re signs with “watch for animal crossing”, making it clear that they do cross! The issue now is who enforces that order; it comes down to the motorists since only the motorists can drive defensively!

When we have that mindset, our companies advance. But if we focus on who’s wrong and right, many bad things happen. Yes, you can be right and still burn down a vision because you did not consider the full view. In life, let’s drive defensively!

*Defensive driving is “a set of safe responses to potential hazards, including other drivers, damaged road surfaces, debris, inclement weather, and more”.

Risk has many shapes. You can be at risk from another object or entity, and seconds later, you can also create risk for another object/entity. Many years ago, Shell had a big billboard at Rumukrushi Port Harcourt junction with “Drive for others; become a defensive driver*”.

As… pic.twitter.com/icHq6zPUSE

— Ndubuisi Ekekwe (@ndekekwe) December 11, 2023

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