Tips on managing your employees

May 5, 2021
Danny Sanchez, former shop owner and CEO of Autoshop Solutions shared how to best manage your employees to be less "hands-on" and more focused on growing your business at virtual ASA X50.

With the right management style, shop owners can become less involved in day-to-day operations and more focused on growing the business. To run a shop more independently and to grow your business without having to do everything comes down to one simple solution. 

"It comes down to building a team," said Danny Sanchez, former shop owner and current CEO of Autoshop Solutions, an internet marketing agency.

Sanchez shared helpful management tips during his session, “Making Room for Productivity: Get Out of Your Employees’ Way!” at the virtual ASA X50 Automotive Conference and Expo on April 30.

Management styles

“Sometimes, it’s best to sit back and watch in silence,” Sanchez said when speaking on management styles. A “wise boss” will know that sometimes the best management style is to not manage at all. It’s important to know when to give orders and when to watch and listen in silence.

More often than not, it’s best to ask what your employees think and not always assert your own opinion first. Listening to your employees and taking their thoughts into account shows them that you care.

Oftentimes, Sanchez will approach his team with an idea that is only 70 percent, or “half-baked,” to see where his team will take it. This not only allows his employees to be involved in a decision-making opportunity but also provides them with a feeling of empowerment.

It’s also important to note that before one can be a great leader, you must put yourself first - meaning you can't help others if you can't help yourself. 

“Being a leader is a conscious decision, one that you have to make every day,” Sanchez said.

Keeping yourself in check at all times is key. This includes your personal life (spouse, kids, family, and friends).

If having issues with your team at work, it’s best to take time to see what is out of balance, it could be something that is off balance outside of work.

Bad bosses

In any business or industry, there are “not-so-great” bosses. These are people who dictate every single detail, doesn’t allow creativity, is very demanding, or is never thankful or appreciative.

Although many of us have experienced bosses like this and probably was not in favor of this tactic, it actually helped create who we are today, Sanchez said. Having a bad boss at a previous job often provides incentive to make changes and to not be like that person.

Sanchez identified top three ways how employees respond to bad bosses: 

  • The Confronter – Employees who go to their boss to say, “This is not right”. Few employees feel comfortable confronting their boss on issues they feel strongly about. It’s important for employees to feel safe enough to speak out and to know there won’t be any repercussions. On the other hand, if this occurs too much it may require taking a look at involving employees more in the decision-making process to reduce these occurrences.
  • Token Obedience – This “disengaged” employee will only do enough to get their work done but not working to grow the business. They are productive but won’t go above and beyond.
  • The Foot Dragger – The employee who works at a slower pace than they’re capable of and may also slow other workers down in the shop.

“None of these team members are necessary bad employees, they are reacting to the leadership from the company,” Sanchez said.

The need for freedom

Employees need the freedom to think and solve problems within a framework or set of guidelines. Having your employees know you trust them is critical to building an independent team.

“Great bosses build trust with employees to act in a manner that benefits the business,” Sanchez said.

Although, finding guidelines that works for everybody may take time and some adjusting, it’ll help in growing the business. One example may be flexible hours verses a set clock in/out time.

Traits of a great leader

A great leader is one who lifts their teams up.

“You’re not the one that needs to shine at the end of the day,” Sanchez stated. “They are the ones that are getting it done.”

Most people may think a good leader is one who takes charge. Now, in more modern times, a leader “doesn’t have to dominate in order to have influence”.

Key traits of a great leader:

  • Keep your ego in check.
  • Be a good listener and communicator.
  • Allow workers to take risks.
  • Actively solicit feedback.
  • Admit your mistakes.
  • Be appreciative and say “thank you” often.

Ultimately, as a shop owner you have the most to gain or lose. Therefore, you will out-work your employees but as Sanchez noted, “It’s not that they are unable to work as hard, they are simply less invested than you are.”

It’s important to make sure your expectations are realistic and to let your team members grow. By doing so, you can find ways to off-load some of your responsibilities, giving you more time to find more ways to grow the business, Sanchez said.

About the Author

Kayla Nadler | Associate Editor | Vehicle Repair Group

Kayla (Oschmann) Nadler is a former associate editor for the Vehicle Repair Group.

With an education in journalism and public relations, Nadler contributed to Professional Tool & Equipment News (PTEN) and Professional Distributor magazines, as well as VehicleServicePros.com.

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