As owners of collision repair shops, there is no doubt that we are in charge of steering the day-to-day operations of our businesses. While it may be easy to set goals and objectives for your team, creating an environment conducive to working together and accomplishing those goals collaboratively requires leadership—strong leadership. We all know leading isn't always straightforward, but if done right, with effective workflow enforcing accountability from everyone on the team, it can lead to success!
In this month's column, we'll explore what makes a great leader and how you can apply these insights to lead your team through continued growth and forward progress.
Define your team's purpose and create a unified mission statement to guide their work.
Every team needs a defined purpose to guide their work and set a clear direction for achieving success. However, simply having a purpose is not enough. Teams must also align around shared values and culture to create a strong foundation that empowers them to work together effectively. This is where a mission statement comes in. A well-crafted mission statement captures the essence of a team's purpose, values and beliefs, helping to unify members around a common goal. By working together towards a shared mission, teams will achieve greater success and organically build a culture that encourages collaboration, innovation and growth.
Provide clear direction and expectations.
As leaders, providing clear direction and expectations to our teams is essential. Whether through a direct conversation or written instructions, having expectations set and able to be referenced is critical to achieving success within any shop. By taking the time to communicate your expectations upfront, you're able to ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal. The clear direction also helps to reduce misunderstandings and allows individuals to feel more confident in their work. I challenge you to locate an area in your store that may need some attention. Then, set aside specific time to put your expectations in a direct and accessible way, and watch your team's productivity and morale improve.
It's not about being in charge; it's leading those that are in charge.
Real leaders understand one thing—that it's not about being "in charge" but about leading those that are. True leadership lies in giving away all the credit when everything goes right and taking all the credit when anything goes wrong. Leaders demonstrate high levels of personal sacrifice as we should act as the catalysts for our teams, providing support, guidance and direction. We must understand our role is to lead our team to success and create an environment that nurtures innovation and helps them achieve their full potential. Leaders don't seek power or show off authority; instead, we lead by example, inspiring others to follow in our footsteps.
Demonstrate strong communication skills with your team, customers, and vendors.
Effective communication is key to success in any team, particularly in the workplace. Simply put, high communication equals high production, while low communication equals low production. To ensure that everyone is on the same page, it's crucial to demonstrate strong communication skills with your team, customers and vendors. Effective communication can help to prevent misunderstandings, mistakes and missed deadlines that can negatively affect the business. By clearly expressing your ideas, listening to others and being open and honest in your communication, you can help build strong relationships with your colleagues and stakeholders. This can lead to increased collaboration, improved productivity, and, ultimately, greater success for your organization.
Leadership is a muscle. Therefore, it needs to be exercised regularly to stay strong. Transitioning away from micro-managing those around us is much easier said than done at times. We must set an example for our team by having a clear purpose and working together on a relative mission statement while providing clear direction and expectations for their work. Remember, it's not about being 'in charge' per se but leading those in charge. Demonstrate impressive communication skills with your team and clients to ensure the best customer experience possible. In summary:
- Are you the leader you intended to be?
- Are you teaching your leaders to lead?
- What example are you setting?
Once you answer these questions honestly and act accordingly, your leadership style will ascend to new heights that will benefit you and your team members tenfold.
