Sometimes You Gotta Call the Tow Truck: A Lesson on Being “Too Nice”

Whew, y’all… let me tell you a little story.

So listen—I live somewhere where finding a parking spot is basically cardio. I'm talkin' circling the block like you training for a marathon. The one blessing? I’ve got an assigned spot. My own little piece of pavement paradise. (Until I get my dream home, this’ll do just fine.)

But for like a whole month, somebody kept parking in my spot. And here’s the kicker—I don’t even own a car right now. (We’ll get into that saga another day.) But when I rent a Turo? That spot is clutch.

So at first, I tried being nice. I called the tow company, but they were moving like they had nowhere to be. By the time they showed up, the car was long gone. Then I left a note—real polite, real gentle.
And guess what? They did it again. And again.

Finally, I stopped playing. Called the tow truck. They showed up on time and whew—baby, that car got scooped like a prize at a carnival.

Now don’t get me wrong—I felt a little bad at first. That voice in my head started whispering:
“What if they’re struggling?”
“What if they can’t afford this?”

But then I had to pull over and have a heart-to-heart with myself.
Why was I feeling guilty for protecting my space?

And that’s when it hit me:
Being too nice doesn’t make you a better leader. It makes you a blocked one.

Especially if you’re stepping into leadership for the first time—listen, sis. You gotta know when to give grace and when to set that boundary with love. So here’s what I did—and what I want you to try too:

 
1. 🚗 Make a “No Parking” List
Write down three things you will NOT allow to park in your lane—whether it’s behaviors, habits, or situations that block your peace or your team’s progress. Put it somewhere you’ll see every day. These are your non-negotiables.

 
2. 🛣️ Do a “Red Light” Check-In
Once a month, ask your team what’s slowing them down. And yes—you might be part of it. Leadership is a two-way street. You can’t ask for feedback and then act brand new when it shows up.

 
3. 🎯 Celebrate the Green Lights
Catch folks doing it right and hype them up! A quick shout-out, a thank-you, a funny gif in Slack—small things add fuel. Leadership is also about pouring in, not just pointing out.

 
Here’s the real talk:

Being a kind leader doesn’t mean letting folks run over your boundaries.
Being firm doesn’t mean you’ve lost your heart.

You can lead with compassion and hold folks accountable.
You can check folks without crushing their spirit.
You can be soft and solid at the same time.

So the next time somebody’s in your spot—literally or metaphorically—ask yourself:
Am I making space for growth, or just letting people park where they want?

Trust, sis. You got this.
And if you ever need a reminder, just call that tow truck and protect your lane.