ATRA’s POWERTRAIN EXPO, was held last month in San Antonio, Texas. It’s the premier event for our industry, providing access to technical and management training that’s unsurpassed in excellence in timeliness. I know there were many who could not attend, but that doesn’t mean you should just sit back and wait until next year.
In our chosen profession, there’s no room for complacency. Whether you’re under the hood of a car or leading a team of technicians, you need to be on the forefront. A technician who stops learning is at risk of being left behind in our rapidly changing industry, but the same holds true for leaders and managers. If you stop growing your leadership skills, you’ll find yourself stuck, and your business will be, too.
This isn’t just a “nice-to-have” idea. It’s a survival strategy.
Leadership and management aren’t static skills that you get in a classroom once and never revisit. They’re ever evolving. Your ability to lead and manage must develop and adapt just as much as the technical skills of the people you lead. As a leader in the automotive transmission industry, you have a responsibility to model continuous improvement. And if you’re not committed to ongoing development, both you and your team are in danger of stagnation.
1. The Importance of Ongoing Development
Imagine a technician who refuses to learn anything beyond what they knew two years ago. They’d fall behind. They’d miss out on the latest diagnostic tools, and they’d risk doing more harm than good when it comes to fixing today’s complex systems. You wouldn’t want to hire or work with such a person, right?
The same applies to you as a leader or manager. If you’re not committed to learning, growing, and staying up to date with the latest leadership strategies, communication tools, and business management techniques, you’ll soon be in the same position as that outdated technician.
The automotive industry has evolved at a breakneck pace, and management best practices haven’t slowed down either. Leadership styles that worked five or ten years ago might not be effective today. If you don’t make every effort to stay on top of new trends and practices in leadership and management, you risk falling behind.
2. Reading Is the Foundation of Leadership Growth
Reading is one of the most powerful ways to stay sharp. Leaders who are committed to ongoing improvement make time to read. Whether it’s books, industry articles, or leadership journals, reading exposes you to innovative ideas and fresh perspectives. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day tasks and let reading fall by the wayside. But if you want to stay ahead of the curve, you need to read regularly to receive inspiration and practical tools. No time? Consider listening to audio books.
By reading, you can:
- Learn new leadership strategies
- Understand evolving business management techniques • Stay on top of customer expectations and management practices
- Gain insights into improving team morale and performance
- Learn from the experiences of others in similar industries or challenges
Leadership isn’t about knowing everything; it’s about knowing where to find answers and being open to learning from others. In a world where information is constantly changing, the ability to read, digest, and apply new knowledge is a key differentiator between those who stay relevant and those who stagnate.
3. Listen to Podcasts, Webinars, and Online Conversations
If you’re not a big reader, there’s still no excuse for neglecting your own development. Leadership learning can happen anywhere, thanks to the growing number of podcasts, webinars, and online discussions available at your fingertips. The beauty of these resources is that they fit into your busy schedule. Whether you’re driving between locations or working through a pile of paperwork, you can tune in to valuable insights and ideas.
Podcasts and webinars offer a range of benefits for managers and leaders:
- Learn from the experiences of successful entrepreneurs and business leaders
- Stay current on leadership trends without spending hours in front of a book
- Get tips on managing teams effectively, handling difficult conversations, and developing stronger leadership presence
- Hear different perspectives on customer service, conflict resolution, and decision-making
One excellent resource is the FUEL Program from the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA). This newly introduced program on ATRA’s website is designed specifically for professionals in our industry to help develop leadership skills, improve communication, and build better teams. It’s an excellent way to stay ahead in leadership development while connecting with others in our industry.
Listening to others allows you to see the landscape from multiple angles. You gain insight into how leaders in other industries are solving similar problems. And you get a chance to hear the challenges they’ve faced and how they’ve overcome them. This external perspective is invaluable for broadening your leadership toolkit.
4. Attending Seminars Provides Real-Time Learning and Networking
There’s no substitute for live interaction. Whether it’s an in-person seminar, an online workshop, or POWERTRAIN EXPO, face-to-face learning provides real-time feedback, networking opportunities, and a deeper sense of accountability. These events are where you can sharpen your leadership tools and connect with like-minded individuals. Seminars give you the opportunity to:
- Engage directly with experts in leadership, management, and business development
- Participate in interactive exercises that challenge your leadership thinking
- Network with peers facing the same challenges and discovering new strategies
- Ask questions and get immediate feedback on leadership approaches or team issues
Whether you’re attending a leadership conference or an event focused on improving team dynamics, the knowledge gained is often more hands-on and immediately applicable than what you get from reading or listening alone. Seminars are designed to challenge your thinking, stretch your leadership capabilities, and push you out of your comfort zone.
And just as important, you get to connect with other professionals – people who can share WHAT’S WORKING for them or offer advice for your specific challenges. Leadership is never done in isolation; being around others who are invested in their own development can be incredibly inspiring.
In addition to industry-specific seminars, don’t forget about opportunities to attend Chamber of Commerce meetings or business training classes in your local community. These meetings often provide networking opportunities, local business insights, and leadership training that can help you build relationships, foster community support, and stay grounded in the broader business landscape.
5. The Cost of Stagnation
As a leader, you set the tone for your team. If you stop developing yourself, you send the message that growth is no longer important, and that is one of the fastest ways to damage morale and trust. Imagine if your service advisers, managers, or technicians stopped learning and improving their skills. The impact on quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction would be catastrophic.
Similarly, if you stop investing in your own leadership development, you’re not only setting yourself up for failure, but you’re also setting up your entire team. Think about it this way. You wouldn’t let a technician work on a latemodel vehicle if they hadn’t updated their skills in ten years, would you? Why would you allow yourself, as a leader, to fall into the same trap?
The costs of stagnation are real: missed opportunities, lack of engagement from your team, and ultimately, lost business. A team that sees their leader growing and developing is motivated to do the same. Your learning serves as a model for your entire team.
6. How to Build a Learning Culture in Your Shop
Stop thinking that leadership is just about you. It’s about creating an environment where learning is valued. If you want to foster a culture of continuous improvement, start by leading by example. Here are some steps to get you started.
- Make Learning a Priority. Schedule time for personal development just like you would for any other meeting or task. Block out time to read, listen to podcasts, or attend seminars. Encourage your team to do the same. By making learning a priority, you signal to your team that growth and improvement are part of the culture you’re building.
- Share What You Learn. When you learn something valuable, share it with your team. Start a monthly meeting where you discuss key takeaways from books, podcasts, or seminars. Encourage your team to share their own insights. This creates a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
- Encourage Your Team’s Growth. Invest in your team’s development as well. Provide access to training opportunities and encourage them to expand their skill sets. This doesn’t just help your business, it creates a sense of loyalty and growth potential within your team.
- Track Progress and Celebrate Wins. Recognize and celebrate the learning and growth of both you and your team. When someone applies new knowledge successfully or demonstrates leadership growth, acknowledge it. Celebrating wins reinforces the importance of learning and motivates others to continue developing.
7. Evolve or Be Left Behind
In the end, your ability to lead and manage is what will determine your success in the long run. The automotive transmission business, like any industry, doesn’t stand still. If you’re not constantly learning and honing your leadership skills, you’re at risk of being outpaced by those who are. The same way you wouldn’t want a technician working for you who isn’t willing to stay on top of their technical knowledge, your team won’t want to follow a leader who isn’t dedicated to improving their leadership ability.
So, commit to continuous learning. Read, listen, attend seminars, and create a culture of growth within your business. Make use of valuable resources like Chamber of Commerce meetings and local business training classes for other networking and leadership development.
Take advantage of the many ways ATRA helps by providing you with ongoing training and support: POWERTRAIN EXPO, GEARS Magazine, ATRA’s VTS training platform. So, don’t miss the opportunity to explore ATRA’s FUEL program to enhance your leadership skills as well as your challenges with balancing your life with your business.
About the author — Thom Tschetter has served our industry for over four decades. His article topics come from our readers and Thom’s years as a speaker, writer, certified arbitrator, business consultant, and his own in-the-trenches experiences. Thom owned a chain of award-winning transmission shops in Washington State, and ATRA presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his years of training for the transmission industry.
