Most Americans own several vehicles throughout their lives, and many will visit an auto dealership at some point. However, there’s an unpleasant stereotype surrounding dealers, along with a general feeling of discomfort around the process of purchasing a vehicle at a car dealership.

An important part of providing an exceptional customer experience and overcoming negative dealer stereotypes is by staffing your store with a great team. Hiring the right people is one factor, but being a great leader is another entirely. Here are some leadership traits and ways to implement those important leadership qualities throughout your store.

Why Adaptive Leadership Matters in the Auto Industry

Leadership vs. Management

Leadership and management are two important concepts in any organization, including automotive dealerships. However, there are some key differences between the two.

Leadership is about inspiring and motivating others to achieve a common goal. Leaders set the vision for the organization and create a culture where employees feel valued and respected. They also empower employees to make decisions and take ownership of their work.

Management is about the day-to-day operations of the organization. Managers plan, organize, and control resources to ensure that business goals are met. They also supervise employees and provide them with the training and support they need to be successful.

In your dealership, both adaptive leadership and management are essential for success. Your leaders need to set the vision for your store, create a positive work environment, and motivate employees to provide excellent customer service. Your managers need to ensure that the dealership is running smoothly and efficiently, and that sales and service metrics are being met.

Managing the Mayhem: Top Leadership Traits to Hone

Think bigger than pizza parties and gift cards—discover and develop your unique leadership style requires honing these top leadership qualities and skills.

• Visionary: You have a clear vision for the future of your dealership and are able to communicate that vision to your team in a way that inspires and impacts them.
  
  
• Communicator: You can communicate effectively with your employees and customers. In addition to clearly articulating your strategies and goals, you can also listen to and understand feedback from others.
  
  
• Resilient: Working in the automotive industry isn’t easy. You are resilient in the face of challenges and able to bounce back from setbacks to keep moving forward.
  
  
• Flexible: You can help your store quickly and effectively adapt to changes in the industry, such as changing supply availability or new competitors.
  
  
• Positive: You create a positive and productive work environment where employees are more likely to be successful, leading to increased employee morale and customer satisfaction.
  
  
• Adaptable: You help your dealership to learn and grow from both positive and negative experiences. You help develop new products and services, improve operations, and become more competitive.

Using Leadership Skills to Supercharge Ops

Developing the leadership qualities listed above is absolutely necessary for being a great leader in the everchanging automotive industry. As things constantly evolve from day to week to month, how you adjust and handle them will have a major impact on your store’s success.

A large factor to your success lies with your customers. Listening to and understanding your customers’ pain points can go a long way to overthrowing those old dealership stereotypes. Use your leadership skills to show them how you differ from the competition by making their entire experience exceptional.

One of the ways you can do just that is with the right technology. As in many industries besides automotive, the presence of technology is increasing each year. Embrace it and your team will too, but keep in mind that not every solution available will be a solution for your dealership. Take advantage of the vast knowledge of automotive industry leaders to help you determine where technology can have the best impact on your business.

Our Experts Are Here to Help

Discovering your leadership style, developing your leadership skills, and finding fresh ways to influence and inspire your team is crucial, but you don’t have to go it alone. Let our industry experts help guide you and your staff to success. If you have any questions or want to find out more, feel free to contact us at your convenience.