By Brian Mitchell, Managing Partner & CEO
Let’s be real: every company is basically a giant road trip. There’s a destination we’re all trying to get to, there are a few pit stops along the way, and sometimes, yeah, someone forgets the snacks. But here’s the thing — we don’t get there if everyone’s just sitting in the backseat waiting to be chauffeured. We need Drivers, not Passengers.
What’s the difference?
Drivers grab the wheel. They don’t need a GPS to tell them every single turn — they figure things out, take detours when necessary, and make sure we’re still heading toward the goal.
Passengers? Well, they buckle up, stare out the window, and occasionally ask, “Are we there yet?” Worse, sometimes they just nap through the ride.
Drivers make things happen. Passengers wait for things to happen.
Why do Drivers matter?
Because building a company isn’t about coasting. Drivers:
- Jump on problems before they turn into breakdowns.
- Take accountability — no “it wasn’t my job” nonsense.
- Fire up the rest of the team and keep things moving.
- Shift gears quickly when the road conditions change (and they always do).
- Drivers stand out and rise to the top due to skill, effort, and grit.
Drivers get sh*t done. Passengers get left at the rest stop.
Netflix in Action: A Real-World Look
When Netflix first decided to pivot from DVDs to streaming, there was no playbook. No clear roadmap. It would’ve been easy for people inside the company to say, “Let’s wait and see what leadership decides.” But that’s not what happened. Teams jumped in. Engineering figured out new delivery systems, marketing reimagined messaging, content teams restructured deals. Everyone drove. If they had waited around for a memo titled “Exactly How to Reinvent Netflix,” they would’ve been Blockbuster by now.
Being a Driver doesn’t mean going rogue.
It’s not about ignoring your team or sprinting off alone into the woods. It’s about stepping up, owning your lane, and making real progress — with accountability, communication, and drive (pun intended).
Here’s what we need from you:
- See a pothole? Fill it.
- Got a shortcut? Speak up.
- Want to lead a caravan? Awesome — let’s go.
We’re handing out keys. Who’s ready to drive?