Episode 32: Sometimes You Have to Work for Free

September 26, 2018

How hard would you work for someone if you weren’t getting paid? What level of performance and dedication would you offer if you knew you wouldn’t get any money in return? Two stories I’ve run across in the last week have taught me a lesson about effort being tied to compensation.

The first was an interview with Dan Whitney (Larry the Cable Guy). His compensation for his first gig with the Blue Collar Comedy Tour? They paid for his hotel room. No travel. No talent fee. He had just come home off the road when his agent called with the opportunity. One of the greatest shows in comedy history may not have happened if Dan decided his time was too valuable than to go to Nashville and not get paid for it.

The second was about NASCAR Camping World Series and Xfinity Series driver Ross Chastain. Chastain is a eighth generation watermelon farmer from Florida. He’s been racing in NASCAR for a few years, but has never had an opportunity to drive a really good car for a quality team. He scored a three race deal with Champion car owner Chip Ganassi. He won the pole position for the first race at Darlington and got caught up in a wreck while leading. He won the second race at Las Vegas. In the final race at Richmond he finished second. His pay for the three races? $0 He drove that car for free. It should be obvious that showing the skill to nearly win three races in a row should be enough to get him a ride. Maybe not. There is no guarantee. Without sponsorship, he may never get another competitive ride. Do you think he poured all of his effort, talent, and skill into driving that car for which he got no compensation? I’d say yes.

In this episode I talk about how we can relate these lessons to trucking and how much we give of ourselves and our skill even if we aren’t getting paid what we think we deserve.

Interview with Larry the Cable Guy

Ross Chastain Driving (and winning) in Chip Ganassi’s NASCAR Xfinity Car For Free