Move It!

I am often forced to reflect on my career and how I got to today, 16 years deep in the parking and transportation industry. This contemplation is often brought on by an acquaintance or family member asking, “What exactly is it that you do?” Every time I am asked, I laugh. Mainly because it is darn good question and the simple answer of “I work in parking” just seems silly.

So what the heck is it that I really do? Park cars? Implement technology? Process payments? Manage teams? Support customers? Move people?

I suppose all are true, but move people seem to resonate and, for me, it is not the traditional definition of move. While yes, people are being physically moved by cars, buses, and trains, our work in this industry truly does move people in all of its definitions. Our team members can be driven crazy by complicated scenarios. Our customers can fly off the handle due to a parking ticket. And our jobs may put us all on a bus to the looney bin.

But together, we move people. The bonds that are created while working together, with our customers, clients and team members, is what really moves us. I know we have all heard the statements “It’s just parking.” Inferring that parking can’t possibly be that serious. Quite honestly, I think that the statement is true. Because what truly keeps us moving, are the people.

The individuals I admire most in this industry, many of whom I consider friends, are passionate about moving people towards success. Supporting our colleagues, friends, employees, and even competitors in their journey, is really what we do. While this should be true for any job, many of us have made a career out of moving people, which just seems more relevant here.

Being surrounded by individuals who are passionate, engaged, and supportive is what brings to joy to what can be the mundane. Moving people, can truly be a moving.