Who's got the gas?

I don’t see it as micromanagement but rather business leaders stepping in the same puddle of mud; department heads pushing themselves away from the face of a computer to spend more time on the road with coworkers attempting to seize incredible opportunities with past, present and new clients.

With gas prices the way they are…who's driving? Someone’s pocket is about to be hit, should it be the lower man on the totem pole?

I went straight to business ethics expert Anne Marie Sabbath who says, “The little guy should always offer to drive; let the boss take it from there. If the mastermind behind the plan to help you achieve higher success wants to command the ship…he or she will let you know. Otherwise assume the role of navigator.

More importantly; if the decision keeper does the driving…you should never become the map designer or backseat driver. Leave the GPS in your holster. According to Anne no helping hand should be offered unless they approach your efforts of booking through rough traffic or discovering quick and easy back road shortcuts.

Now let’s send your business dealings on a national tour and you’re stuck in a bright yellow taxi; name the person getting stuck with paying for the drive? Anne Marie suggests that you let the boss make the move, if it’s a total no show…it’s coming out of your pocket. Rule number one: Make sure you keep an expense report to be reimbursed.

Where does the ship turn when travel doesn’t include a boss but a coworker of equal value?

Distribution of expenses needs to be discussed ahead of departure. We’ve entered an age in Corporate American business where battles will begin if Johnny the Moocher thinks he’s using your money to finance road trips. Outsiders and your money is a bad combination; it’s lethal and fully capable of exploding into a situation that’ll rock HR departments that never see anything coming.

Keep a pen in your pocket and a journal at your side to document everything. Creating a snowstorm of information turns assumption into fact. If you think banks are ripping you off nobody does it quicker than someone you work with. Now if we can only get your kids to help out with the gas money.

I will always believe in you first…

arroecollins@clearchannel.com