If you run an auto shop, you know that your team is extremely important. You rely on them to get stuff done and keep the shop running smoothly. So, you want to be the best boss you can possibly be. You know you need to support them and create a great work environment. You want people to be happy to work for you, after all. Here are a few tips.
Being a great boss at an auto repair shop.
1. Listen to your team.
If you’re going to lead a team, you need to make an effort to be a good listener. Your team needs to know that they’re being heard. That means you need to fully pay attention to your people when they’re trying to talk to you. So – no distractions, no barriers between you, no multi-tasking. That means that you probably shouldn’t be on your phone or computer. You might be a super talented multi-tasker, but that can come across as you not truly caring about what the person is telling you.
Also, create a two-sided conversation. Ask questions. Participate in the discussion. If there’s something you’re not seeing eye-to-eye on, work it out with further discussion until you can get to an agreement. And then at the end of the conversation, have a quick recap. It never hurts to make sure everyone is on the same page.
2. Understand that your employees are individuals.
Your employees aren’t you. And they aren’t each other. Everyone has their own work style, and everyone communicates differently. And since your job is to support your employees and help them succeed, you need to have a handle on how your team members work and what kind of management style is ideal for them. You have to adjust to the person you’re communicating with.
3. Have meetings.
You also need to have meetings with your team so you can check in with them. Doing one-on-one meetings every week can help you set aside time to focus specifically on your individual employees. It gives them the chance to bring things to your attention. And it also presents an opportunity for you to build up a working relationship with your team mates. These things don’t happen without intention sometimes.
4. Be okay with getting feedback.
You’ve got to be okay with getting feedback from your team. Let them tell you what’s working and what’s not working. It’s helpful to get the positive, the negative, and new ideas. Yes, it might be awkward for all involved at first. But really it’s for the good of the entire team. And it’ll get easier as time goes on.
5. Have compassion.
Don’t underestimate the power of compassion and patience. It makes a difference if you take a patient approach in dealing with people. That means hearing people out when they talk to you, being patient when training or teaching people, and overall being empathetic. It also means understanding that change takes time, meaning that changing a behavior doesn’t happen overnight. (Now, of course, patience has to have its time and place. When it comes to something you’ve repeatedly addressed, you might have to evaluate the situation.)
6. Commit to these things.
The next trick is remembering to stick to these things – and to being a good boss. Commitment is important. Okay, true, there are days that things might get stressful at the auto shop and you might have a grumpy day or an “I’m-too-busy” day. We’re all human – it happens. But remember that supporting your team is the key thing.
Get auto shop insurance quotes.
And of course, as the manager of an auto repair shop, you’re also probably the one dealing with the auto repair shop insurance You’ve got a lot on your plate, so that probably means you’re not exactly looking forward to that. Our team can help, whether you have a brake repair shop, a transmission shop, or a collision repair shop. We like to make insurance easy. Get in touch with our team by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.
Source: