As the owner of your business, you are the leader of the team, which means not just leading the team with new policies, procedures and training — but leading with the understanding of how digital applications and advancements can help you and your team succeed.
Curiosity
Being curious and a commitment to continuous learning is a crucial component of a successful leader in this digital age. Not only for their team, but themselves. Don’t ever think you know everything about a particular topic. As soon as you do, you’ll shut off your mind to new technological solutions. Attend seminars with a digital emphasis. You may be surprised that what you learn can be directly and immediately applied to your business.
The community you have your business in evolves. New housing developments are built. Employers move or expand. Or you have a great team member who leaves. Knowing that population growth can mean a bigger customer base and knowing how to reach out to them first amongst your competition – by using the latest technology application – can increase your car count. Or always being in a recruitment mind-set means you are continually adapting to change. Embracing these changes requires a leader who is adaptable. Change is constant – it’s important to see change as a new opportunity and think through how your business can grow from each development.
Engagement
A leader in the digital age is engaged. They are engaged in the world around them. They have a natural inclination to be involved. In their community – in associations with fellow shop owners from around the country – attending industry conventions and trade shows. Being engaged includes online outlets. From public and private Facebook pages to Instagram, being a part of the online community that serves your industry is an important element of being and staying engaged. You can’t wall yourself off from the world. As soon as you do, the learning stops.
You should never think that your solutions or opinions are the only ones. Be open to other ideas – including your employees’. Technology changes each day and because of that, you can’t know everything. That new Service Advisor you just brought onboard may bring something up to you that you hadn’t thought of – a new app that will serve your customers better. So keep your eyes and ears open and don’t think that what you think is always the best idea in the room.
A great leader in the digital age thinks big. What’s around the corner for your industry should always be on your radar. How can that change affect your business and your team members. You are inspired and determined to bring that ‘big picture’ thinking to your business and industry.
We aren’t talking building an engine here. We’re talking about building a business. Knowing what new technology offerings can bring to the table and knowing how each building block fits in with other building block brings you and your team closer to the goals you have set.
Consider each of these Leadership in the Digital Age attributes and think about where you’re strong…and which traits you need to bolster.
