Increasing Morale and Productivity in High-Stress Work Environments

On Power Athlete Radio, I told Allison Brager about the importance of structure and how it has completely transformed one of the toughest work environments in the United States Army. What he calls his “road crew.”

To give some background, Allison was placed in charge of road media/promotion efforts, which included working with a quasi-cadet team traveling throughout the United States promoting recruitment at United States Army events. In his words, “It was like a bunch of billboards in constant motion.”

Each location required hosting events with a team of high-speed individuals who live life outside of trucks and push themselves 365 days a year. The mission was to continue driving with little to no breaks, relying on truck stops for food and rest. There were big problems.

It wasn’t sustainable. Imagine driving 585 miles every day for years. This kind of program crushes people to their core. There were almost no rest days, and of course you might think: “Driving isn’t that bad.But when you do it every day, it becomes dangerous and tiring.

These guys were living off truck stop food, burgers, fries, whatever they could find. The wear and tear on their bodies over time was immense. People started bringing air fryers and portable cookware to avoid eating the same terrible food over and over again.

Enter Allison; He saw that some things needed to change. He implemented structured driving schedules and planned everything more efficiently. Thanks to better logistics, the team was no longer just moving aimlessly, they had a plan that became purposeful. They finally had a routine that allowed for proper rest and healthier eating.

Before Allison’s intervention, the only real opportunity was to sleep in hotels during events. This was a luxury compared to truck stops or sleeping in trucks. But even that wasn’t enough when you were on the road 365 days a year. What Allison brought to the table wasn’t just about planning; it was about taking care of the team and making sure they could actually maintain the lifestyle without burning themselves out.

The final result?

Better productivity, healthier team members, and a much safer way to do things. The mission is important, but it needs a structure and a way to make it more manageable, and everyone benefited from his leadership.