I’ve spent each of the last three weeks in a different car. My day-to-day car was out of commission because of an accident. So I drove a rental car for a week. I soon found out my car was totaled so I recently started driving a new-used car. God has been tremendously faithful in all of the chaos. And there is one sobering observation that has stuck with me throughout the weeks.

My rental car was a new Chevy Malibu. I immediately noticed all the new technology in the car but what I could not miss were all the Chevy cars on the road. I used to believe that few people drove Chevy’s. But when I was behind the steering wheel of a Chevy it seemed like everybody had one. Now I drive a Volkswagen and it seems that everybody has one of those too.

It’s often been said that you don’t notice a car until you’re driving one yourself. However, I couldn’t keep from wondering how this perspective can also translate to my engagement with people. How many people do I not notice because they are different than me? Am I missing people simply because my bias is a filter that limits my perspective?

I think it’s difficult to be a Good Samaritan if we only notice people who resemble us (Luke 10:25-37).

My eyes have been opened and I see all the Chevy’s on the road now. My prayer is that I will also notice all the people who are different than me.

This is a book that anyone in leadership should take the time to read. John Boyd was a man with a large personality and an impenetrable drive. He was misunderstood by many during his lifetime but his contribution to strategy changed the future of the military. His life is a testament to the importance of perseverance and determination. This book also provides insight into key elements of strategy that can improve the readers leadership.

A few quotes:

“You have principle and integrity. That means you will be criticized and attacked. But in the end you will win. Don’t let it bother you.”

“You gotta challenge all assumptions. If you don’t what is doctrine on day one becomes dogma forever after.”

“People should come first. Then ideas. And then hardware.”

Tiger, one day you will come to a fork in the road and you’re going to have to make a decision about which direction you want to go. If you go that way you will be somebody. You will have to make compromises…but you will be a member of the club and you will be promoted and you will get good assignments. Or you can go that way and you can do something…If you decide you want to do something, you may not get promoted and you may not get the good assignments…but you won’t have to compromise yourself…To be somebody or to do something…Which way will you go?