Leadership is more than directing a team; it’s about empowering them to grow, fostering an environment where they can succeed, and ensuring that the correct values guide your actions. Leading empathetically a nd p utting “family first” can shape your leadership style and philosophy.
Family First and Team Empowerment
My leadership philosophy is based on the belief that strong teams are built on empathy and trust. This philosophy extends beyond the workplace, recognizing the importance of personal life balance and support systems that allow team members to thrive professionally and personally. Fostering a “family first” value system fosters leadership that’s human-centric and results-driven.
This approach doesn’t stop with empathy; it also centers on empowering others to succeed on their terms. Looking back on the early days of my career, I see that mentors like Don Kwast and Pete Huscher influenced me and how I lead today. These mentors provided enough guidance to ensure success while encouraging the autonomy and persistence required to grow skills. (They taught me how to fish, not just catch fish,) a principle that is sometimes harder now than before.
Tackling Today’s Workforce Challenges
Today’s automotive industry is at a crossroads, requiring thoughtful leadership to tackle a looming workforce gap. The numbers are revealing.
- The average age of an automotive technician is 40.2 years old.
- Only 12% of technicians are women.
- Currently, about 592,000 automotive technicians work in the U.S., but the industry will need 362,000 more technicians by 2029 to sustain operations.
These statistics show a pressing need to attract new talent and retain and adequately train the existing workforce. Addressing these challenges requires dedication to skill development and mentorship.
Industry Insights
My career has spanned over 35 years, and like many of you, I have witnessed and participated in the evolving standards of the automotive repair industry. These standards emphasize one central truth about leadership in this field, success requires hands-on effort and continual learning.
Leadership in this sector goes beyond the knowledge you gain from forums or quick online videos. Quality training has always been about doing the work. They encourage technicians and professionals to prioritize hands-on or in-person training during apprenticeship programs or workshops. After all, the tasks you master in controlled, supportive environments translate directly into a more skilled workforce.
We must ask ourselves and our teams how many hours we dedicate annually to structured, in-person training – not social media shortcuts, but genuine skill-building opportunities.
A Call to Action for the Future
The automotive repair industry is at a tipping point that requires leaders and professionals to rethink their approach to workforce development, launching initiatives to create inclusive workplaces where candidates feel encouraged to pursue careers as technicians. It also includes investing in the kind of mentorship that doesn’t just solve problems but teaches aspiring technicians to think critically and independently.
For seasoned professionals, it’s crucial to pass on knowledge and genuinely invest in training the next generation. I’ve made this a priority throughout my career by ensuring technicians know both how to “fix cars” and understand the why behind what they’re doing.
Closing Thoughts
Leadership involves lifting others up with empathy, persistence, and high standards. Focusing on proper mentorship and prioritizing training for aspiring professionals creates pathways for the future workforce to succeed in the automotive repair industry despite looming challenges.
The philosophy is simple yet profound – mentor others to stand on their own, create opportunities for growth through genuine engagement, and face industry challenges strategically, always with the team in mind. These efforts serve as a much-needed blueprint for the automotive industry and leaders in every field striving to make a longer-lasting impact.
I believe that there is a growing resource of mentors in our industry willing and able to help ATRA facilitate a mentorship program. They’ll be hearing from me soon, or better yet I’d love to hear from you. Stay tuned.
