TruckTalk:
LESSON 12
Larry Winget's 10 Things That Will Never Fail You
By Kevin Rutherford
I want to share something powerful my friend Larry Winget shared with me—not what might work for your business, but what will never fail you.
Larry has spent decades studying success and has distilled his wisdom into principles that stand the test of time. With his permission, I'm sharing his copyrighted "10 Things That Will Never Fail You" because I believe they're exactly what trucking business owners need right now.
Too many of us chase the latest trends and quick fixes while ignoring these timeless principles. We overcomplicate what should be simple. The truth is, success isn't mysterious—it's methodical. And it starts with character and consistency in areas that never go out of style.
These ten principles aren't flashy. They won't make headlines. But they're the invisible foundation that supports everything else you build. Miss them, and nothing else matters. Master them, and everything else becomes possible.
Larry Winget's 10 Things That Will Never Fail You
- Honesty — Larry puts this first because it's his most important core value. You can't get caught in a lie if you're telling the truth. Period. We claim to value honesty, but too often make it situational. When 27% of people admit to cheating on their taxes, we've got a problem. True honesty isn't convenient—it's consistent. It's your reputation, your credibility, and ultimately your peace of mind.
- Integrity — Doing the right thing when nobody's looking. Honesty is what you say; integrity is what you do when there's no audience and no consequence. As Larry puts it, "If they weren't standing there and you couldn't get caught, would you still be honest? That's integrity."
- Hard work — Larry gets more pushback on this than any other principle. Don't blame hard work when it's the job choice that failed you. Hard work itself never fails—it's the foundation of every success story. Your edge in business might simply be your willingness to outwork everyone else. That advantage is always available.
- Being nice — In an increasingly rude world, basic kindness stands out more than ever. As Larry says, "When are you ever going to get in trouble with anybody for being the nice person?" There's a difference between being nice and being a pushover. You can be kind while still standing your ground.
- Excellence — Be great at what you do, no matter what it is. Even if you're just asking, "Want fries with that?"—be excellent at it. Larry believes excellence doesn't always bring immediate financial rewards, but people will treat you better, doors will open, and opportunities will follow.
- Exceeding expectations — Larry emphasizes this will work for you every time, without exception. Meeting expectations is the commodity level. Exceeding them is where all the value comes in. Anyone can meet the bare minimum, but going beyond is what builds loyalty and referrals.
- Spending less than you earn — Notice Larry specifically says "earn," not "make." Nobody makes money unless they're the mint. You earn money through value exchange. To earn more, be worth more. But regardless of what you earn, living below your means gives you options and freedom.
- Saving as much as possible — Larry states you'll never have problems from having too much money in the bank. Most Americans are one broken water heater away from financial crisis. When you put aside more than you think you need, the worst case is you have extra money.
- Being charitable with time, talent, and money — Giving isn't just about money. Often, an hour of your time helps more than a big check. Larry emphasizes that charity makes you a better person and brings perspective. "You give because it serves you better than the person you give it to."
- Sense of humor — Life goes sideways in a hurry sometimes. Being able to step back and laugh provides perspective. As Larry puts it, "Good God, a lot can go wrong in your life. I guarantee if you can step back and just kind of laugh and say, it's the way life works, that will always serve you well."
Action Plan
- Audit your integrity. Are you really living your values—or just when it’s convenient? Take the integrity test: Would you make the same decision if the whole world was watching?
- Check your work ethic and excuses. Are you blaming hard work when you should be making better choices? Results come from discipline, not just effort.
- Master one thing. Excellence isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing what matters exceptionally well. Pick a skill this month and own it.
- Overdeliver with intention. Find three ways to exceed customer expectations. Meeting the bare minimum is survival. Exceeding it is where success lives.
- Track your money and your mindset. Follow your spending for two weeks. Raise your savings rate by 1%. And wherever possible—give. Not just money, but your time, your attention, and yes, your kindness.
- Tune in to the AudioRoad Network. Don’t just go through the motions—go after real results. We’re live daily, focused on business that works. Call in. Ask questions. Challenge yourself to do better.
Ask Yourself
- Am I living with full integrity—or just when it’s easy? Honesty isn’t optional when no one’s watching. It’s the foundation of real trust.
- Am I choosing smart strategy over hard work? Effort matters—but only if it’s pointed in the right direction.
- What’s the real story behind my finances? Track the gap between earning and spending. Then ask: Am I growing or just getting by?
- What’s my standard of excellence—and am I hitting it? Define what “great” looks like in your business, then chase it relentlessly.
- How can I exceed just one customer expectation this month? Winning businesses don’t meet the bar—they raise it.
Closing Thought
As Larry wisely puts it, "All of these things sort of add up to one thing that'll never fail you. Put all these together and you'll be a good person. And being a good person is never going to fail you."
These aren't just feel-good principles—they're practical business foundations. When I look at the most successful owner-operators and fleet owners I've worked with, they're the ones who've mastered these basics while others chase shortcuts.
Take the time to get back to fundamentals. Write these ten principles down (Larry would approve—he's been writing things down for decades). Post them where you'll see them daily. Measure your decisions against them. And watch what happens when you build on what will never fail you.
Success isn't discovering some secret hack—it's mastering timeless principles that others find too basic to practice.
