Repair Shop Owners; Please don’t lead by example!

Got your attention? Good.

I often hear shop owners say, “I wouldn’t ask any employee to do something that I would not do.” While this may appear to be effective leadership, let’s dig a little deeper.

Let’s say you had an illness that required a specialist. You make an appointment to see the doctor and the day you walk into his office you find him scrubbing the toilet bowl. In defense of his actions, he says, “I can’t ask my employees to do something I am not willing to do.”

I use this ridiculous analogy only to prove a point. Effective leadership does not mean performing every required task in your company. Nor does it mean that the only way to get others to perform what’s expected of them is to also perform their duties.

Effective leaders do go the extra mile and mentor the people they lead, but leaders also know what their true role is. And that is to coach their employees, set the goals, work on the business plan, and ensure the success of the business.

As a shop owner, you need to clearly define your role as the leader of your company. Delegate tasks when needed and manage your time by working on the tasks that define you, as the leader.

This article was contributed by Joe Marconi of Elite. Joe is one of the top shop owners in the country, and one of the 1-on-1 business coaches that helps shop owners through the Elite Coaching Program.