The Chauffer Interview Story

This story is another allegory about what really matters in risk.

A wealthy business owner, looking to hire a new chauffeur to drive the company’s black luxury SUV, placed ads for the job everywhere, from the most mundane recruiting sites to esoteric forums for professional and stunt drivers. Many applied, but three resumes in particular stood out to him, so they were invited to meet in the desert, atop a canyon with a cliff face with rocks and a raging river a few hundred feet below.

The three candidates showed up, right on time, and took their single instruction: “Show me how well you can drive.”

The first candidate had a history of racing cars, beginning as a teenaged amateur, going semi-pro at 21. This driver had a couple credits in fancy chase scenes in blockbuster Hollywood movies. Taking the keys, firing up the SUV and revving its engine, this pro tapped into years of experience, taking off at 50 mph heading straight for canyon’s edge, then applying the brakes into a swerving turn, stopping 6’ short of the edge, completely parallel to the cliff’s face. Candidate #1 gets out of the car to inspect where the car stopped, pleased with the result, then returned the vehicle to the starting position for the next candidate.

“Very nice,” was all the successful business owner said.

The second candidate did not have the racing pedigree of the first, but had been driving cars in stunts since before being legally able to drive. More than that; this driver was an expert in anything with wheels, and had been captured in all kinds of daring jumps, tricks, and fancy driving of cars, trucks, motorcycles … there is even video of this driver doing tricks with construction equipment! The notoriety garnered all kinds of attention and landed dozens of stunt driving roles in Hollywood movies, doubling for big name actors.

Candidate #2 snorted a quiet sneer when at the result of the first candidate, taking the keys with an attitude and determination to show everyone who was the best. The engine revved, dust and gravel spit out as the vehicle launched, probably reaching closer to 75 mph before pulling in hard for a sliding, diving turn. When the vehicle stopped, the back corner was actually overhanging the cliff’s edge, the tires a few inches from losing contact and the $120K vehicle tumbling over into ruins with certain death of anyone inside. Anticipating the showiness, the driver had the front windows down and could hear rocks and gravel chip and trickle down the edge—they hadn’t even hit the bottom yet when the vehicle stopped. Convinced of winning, the vehicle returned to the starting position.

“Impressive and very exciting,” came the verbal review from the interviewer.

The first candidate watched all of this, knowing the performance was better and more exciting, and thought: “If only I would have pushed it harder, taken more risks, showing I also can demonstrate so much control!” Of course, that would have required less regard to safety and the property of others.

The third candidate had watched all of this in wonder, feeling like an imposter. Driver #3 didn’t have a racing background and thought, “The closest I ever came to driving stunts in a movie was doing doughnuts in my mom’s hatchback in a snowy parking lot as a teenager, but there wasn’t any footage of that— and I’m glad because mom would have seen that close call with a light pole.” The keys exchanged hands, the vehicle door opened and closed. A decision was made. “I know what I have to do,” spoken loud enough that no one outside the vehicle could hear.

Candidate #3 drove about 35 mph, barely kicking up any dust, turned parallel to the edge of the cliff, about 40 feet away from the edge, and stopped the car. The window rolled down. Taking in a big breath of fine Italian leather from the SUV’s interior, a vehicle outside its current driver’s financial reach, mixed with the fresh air coming from the canyon, clear thoughts entered driver #3’s mind: “When I get home, I won’t waste time looking for another opportunity.” After a few seconds, the moment was over. The vehicle slowly returned to the starting point.

The first two candidates laughed and joked, wondering why this third candidate was even here. The wealthy interviewer remained very composed, a slight facial motion revealing the desire to be distant from at least one of the insults spoken by the other two.

“Tell me what you were thinking?” the interviewer asked.

“Well, the first two were impressive, for sure, but I just thought you were hiring a driver to get you to where you’re going safely. If you wanted to be teetering on the edge of the canyon, well … that’s just not me. I’ve pushed my luck too far in the past and won’t do it ever again.”

Driver #3 surveyed the other two. The looks on their faces said “you lost, go home.”

“You’re hired,” the business owner said.

The other two drivers’ expressions changed to shock. “What?”

“I don’t need someone who can drive close to danger. I need someone who will do everything they can to avoid it.”

#Allegory Explained

The lesson is that wisdom and responsibility prioritize steering clear of unnecessary risks, rather than testing limits for the sake of pride, bravado, or “because you can.” The business owner didn’t indicate this preference directly, but rather wanted to see each driver’s natural instincts, to choose without bias.

#Application to Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is full of vendors and professionals often taking unnecessary risks. Stopping a breach at the last moment results in great stories and possibly actionable threat intelligence, but a solid defense that quietly handles problems without the excitement is usually the preferred outcome.

This is what Wirespeed is all about—keeping you as far as possible from the edge of the cliff, not showboating right up to edge, with a chance of falling over. Start a free trial today to see the drama-free difference.