Leaders! Stop trying to be right, and win!

In many auto groups and dealerships, leaders often prioritize being "right" over focusing on the long-term vision of team success. This fixation on always proving their point can stifle collaboration, diminish morale, and ultimately lead to higher turnover across all departments—whether it’s sales, service, or beyond.

When leaders are more concerned with asserting their authority or protecting their ego, they overlook the bigger picture: creating a team that’s aligned, motivated, and focused on achieving shared goals. Leadership is not about being right in every situation; it’s about being selfless and making decisions that benefit the dealership as a whole.

This mindset of needing to be right can alienate employees, as their input and expertise are sidelined. When staff feel like their ideas don’t matter or they’re not heard, it breeds frustration, disengagement, and a lack of trust in leadership. Over time, this contributes to increased turnover, as skilled employees leave for environments where their contributions are valued.

The solution is a shift in mindset. Leaders need to focus on winning together, not on being right. A selfless leader prioritizes the success of the dealership over personal validation, encourages open communication, and empowers their team to contribute to solutions. This fosters a culture of collaboration, where employees feel invested in the dealership’s growth and success.

In the long run, leaders who focus on winning as a team—not being right—create stronger, more loyal teams. This not only reduces turnover but also drives better results across all areas of the dealership. Leadership is about elevating the team, and when that’s the focus, everyone wins.