The ability to follow up separates good operators from great operators. Best practices to “Inspect what you Expect”
leadership
A key component to leadership is relationship building. In this Working On It Tuesday session, we discussed best practices to build good relationships.
Focus on one of the driving gears, “Empowerment”
Benefits
- Way to get some freedom
- Prevents micro management
- Relief of stress
- Takes the burden off
- Can focus more on the business and less in the business
- Staff feels important and takes ownership
- Less hours at the shop
Methods
- Ask staff members where they see opportunities, and get buy in. Ask for ideas and input to improve processes
- Provide parameters and allow decision making at different levels depending on position
- In-depth team huddles
- Teach staff that a presented problem should accompany ideas for solutions
How to follow up so that you don’t get burned by empowering associates
- Audit tickets
- Set parameters
- Listen to phone calls
- Inspect what you expect
- Monitor the scorecard
- Hold accountable
- Show by example
- Ongoing training
- Own the mistakes we make
- Be present / audit / checklist
Defining Leadership
What are your BIG 3 driving gears? The following was shared :
- Empowerment
- Inspire / motivate
- Casting a vision
- Getting “buy in”
- Inspect what you expect / follow up
- Praising, showing gratitude, and accountability
Question asked and discussed :
Can confidence be learned?
Here is a clip from one of our weekly Working On It Tuesday training webinars. This week, the topic in question is our leadership process. Brian details the six steps to auto shop leadership mastery, also known as The Lotus Code.
The Lotus Code in Action for Auto Repair Shop Leaders
When automotive industry owners want to up their leadership game, it’s great to have an ordered list which they can refer to. Our Auto Repair Leadership Process is based on the Lotus Code, which is an ancient six step method for success. In order, the six steps are:
- Thinking
- Words
- Action
- Habits
- Perseverance
- Attainment
The other owners on the call recalled Gary Gunn teaching this age old concept to them many years ago. Brian then goes over the history of the Lotus Code, which is over 2500 years old. Mastering your goals always involves these six steps, in this order. Whether it’s a simple task such as cleaning your house, or a more complex one like managing your auto repair shop’s daily operations, this is how it comes together.
When the Lotus Code is applied correctly, we think through our task. Then, we verbalize our plan. We take action, and with repetition, those actions grow into habits. Although obstacles can (and will) arise, we take step five, which is Perseverance, to conquer them. Finally, through that perseverance, we reach step six, Attainment. Only then can we call ourselves masters. As any shop owner knows from experience, mastery will only come through hard work and focus.
Learn More – Schedule Your FREE Strategy Session
Does your auto repair shop lack direction? Perhaps your business plan has stalled out, and you need an experienced automotive industry coach to help you. Then why not schedule a FREE business strategy session with Brian? You’ve got nothing to lose, so sign up today!
