At Big Sky Collision Center, we Train Leaders

Often we get asked how Big Sky Collision Center flourishes. People ponder if we are just that good at fixing cars, or maybe we have excellent sales staff, or our marketing team is amazing, or perhaps something else. The reality is that having a thriving business is a side effect of doing the right thing. Take a look at how we invest in our employees; having an auto body business that does well is a side effect.

Henry Ford once said, “A business that makes nothing but money, is a poor business.” What he meant is that any business which wants to thrive and succeed should have their ultimate goal as something more than getting rich.  That goal can be to provide an outstanding service, or perhaps to help the less fortunate, or perhaps inspire and build into the lives of the employees that make the company great.

But a great business doesn’t just happen.  It’s based on the dream and vision of a great leader.  If you want your business to grow, invest in yourself and grow your leadership by honing these five skills.

Confidence – A leader is confident in his or her abilities.  This confidence is not just a mask that is worn, but a demeanor that can’t be shaken.  If you are insecure, but try to put on the mask of confidence, your employees will see through that mask.  They won’t be able to trust a leader that is not confident in making decisions.

Decisiveness – Suppose you are lost in the woods.  The leader of the group brings you to a canyon where you can travel up, or down.  He wonders which way to go, worries about bears, thinks there might be a waterfall downstream, and ultimately hopes he is making the right decision.  Is that someone you want to follow?

Intuition – Any business that doesn’t pay attention to numbers and analytics is doing themselves a big disservice.  But humans aren’t logical or rational (at least not most of the time).  There is a certain “gut feeling” that goes into being a good leader.  Being able to listen to that feeling and having the wisdom to act accordingly makes a great leader.

Influence – Leaders influence.  Influence can be described as pressure.  A gentle pressure in the right direction helps employees to learn and to grow.  Barking orders and doling out punishments creates resentment; guidance and instruction and gentle nudges create a well rounded employee that loves his or her job.

Empathy – A boss says, “Go!”; a leader says, “Let’s go!”  If all you do is give orders to employees, the employees do all they can to distance themselves from you.  Understanding your staff and knowing the best ways to motivate them earns their dedication and their loyalty.  Employees that are cared for care for the company.

 

Being a Leader Makes the Business

Anyone with a dream and a passion can create a business.  As that business grows, roles begin to change.  The visionary has to step away from the daily work, and learn how to motivate, encourage, influence, and connect with the employees.

The difference between a business that squeaks by and a business that flourishes is the quality of the leadership.

At Big Sky Collision Center we grow leaders; we just happen to be good at fixing cars.