You know those T-shirts you see gray-haired guys wearing at car shows, races, and the beach—the ones that say “Old Guys Rule”? I’m now at the age where I can appreciate those. Not because I’m old (at least, I don’t think I am), but because I’ve finally come to understand just how much old guys have taught me.
I’ve been out of school for nearly 12 years, but thanks to this job, I’m still learning every day. I most enjoy the lessons I’ve been taught by people who’ve lived through the stuff I’m trying to figure out. History is by far my favorite teacher, and I’ve been lucky to learn from some impressive people.
One of the reasons we bring you Bill Senefsky’s Baselines department every month is because I want to share with you the triumphs and tragedies our diesel forefathers can teach us about. In the six years we’ve been publishing Mr. Senefsky’s stories, we’ve explored the lives of hundreds of people who helped build the most powerful American companies that have ever existed.
For me, diesel history is about more than just engines and assembly lines—it’s about overcoming challenges. And as we’re living through a time that some considered The Second Great Depression, I really appreciate learning how companies like Ford, Alcoa, Cummins, and Oshkosh weathered our nation’s financial crisis the first time around. I hope you find reading about the people who got us through those times helpful in getting you through your current battles.
You Don’t Get Old Making Mistakes
Whether they know it or not, old guys are great teachers. Old guys have been there, and done that. In my experience, if a person has lived to tell the tale of their wild adventures—it’s more than worth your time to hear them out. Asking old guys questions and listening to old guys’ stories is the closest thing I’ve ever found to seeing the future. And most times, they’ll tell you both sides of a story—including the painful parts about the mistakes they made, and the things they would’ve done differently.
Young guys have a much harder time telling you about the stuff they did wrong. Typically, young guys only want to tell you about what they did right—so it can take longer to learn from them. Old guys, on the other hand, are more humble. They seem to enjoy mentoring and sharing wisdom that could give you an advantage. Plus, old guys offer the gift of perspective—they gain insight on things just from the passing of time.
Learning from my elders was a lesson I was taught growing up with a big extended family. I was raised next door to my mother’s parents, and within 8 miles of my dad’s grandmother, who lived to be more than 100. Though I wasn’t part of a household that loved cars, I grew up around family and neighbors who did. Those older guys taught me a lot about machines, vehicles, and diesels—and one of them no doubt introduced me to car magazines.
Like Father, Like Son
I tie my work boots the exact same way my dad does. Chances are, you tie your boots, tie, or fishing lures the same way your dad does, too. When I tie my boots, I snug them up like everyone else, but when I get to the stud hooks, I do something different. I bring the laces over each hook, and then wrap them around so the laces make a little X at each stud. I tie my boots this way because that’s how I’ve seen my dad do it. My dad’s not a boot expert by any means, but I figure he’s been wearing them for 24 years longer than I have. So if it works for him, it’d work for me.
A few years ago, my dad took notice of how I tied my boots when we were in my grandmother’s kitchen, and he said, “That’s how the old telephone linemen tie their boots.” “Actually, Dad,” I said, “that’s how you tie your boots.” And like many things I’ve learned from him over the years, it’s helped me out more times than I could ever thank him for.