Mr. TellBlast and I managed our college’s solar car back in the day. (The team’s adviser told me over the weekend that no one has raised as much money as I did.) Mr. TellBlast visits the solar car garage almost every time he’s on campus, and I think we’re both better people because of it.
When we hung out at the Stage 4 Checkpoint last weekend, we drove home and had a conversation of reflections, recollections, and lessons learned. I’ll give the negative, then the positive. There was only real one negative issue I remember from the solar car.
What I learned from working on the solar car
- There are bad-hearted people out there. (In case you are wondering: They used to be in Earlham, now they are in St. Charles.)
- It takes talent to match up skills and jobs and personalities.
- Cold calling is not bad if people understand your cause.
- Desktop publishing — resizing images, leading, fonts, etc.
- Big vision + daily plan are more powerful together than separated.
- Public relations is a sticky business.
- The university is self-insured.
- Not everyone has the same work ethic that I do. Related: Finishing a job is important. Finishing well is a bonus in time crunches like a rayce.
- Interpersonal communication skills is necessary with a diverse group united for one cause.
- Do interesting things if you want an interesting life filled with lifelong memories.