Leading Winning Dealership Teams
C H E AT S H E E T
While the specific challenges facing dealers continue to evolve, as the industry and customer expectations
change, the best way for dealers to maintain a competitive advantage is building and leading a winning
team capable of adapting whenever needed.
Starting in the marketing and advertising department and working his way up through sales and eventually
into management, Doug Fleming, general manager of Findlay Chevrolet, emphasizes that a willingness to
embrace change is key for dealership leaders to be successful in 2022.
In a recent episode of the Dealer Download with Ian Grace, Doug shared the following tips for being a
great leader, as well as best practices for cultivating and inspiring winning dealership teams:
1. LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Leadership takes many forms inside the dealership, from department
heads to managers and team leads. But no matter what the dynamic
– peer-to-peer or manager-to-employee – leading by example is what
defines a true leader.
Doug acknowledges there are many ways to lead; however, effective
leaders lead by example, personifying the winning attributes they want to
inspire in their teams.
D O U G ' S A D V I C E
Aside from confidence and humility, Doug says effective leaders need to be stable, calm and great listeners.
"You have to be willing to change, and you have to be willing to be wrong. There are a lot of ways to
lead, and you need to lead from all positions."
2. KEEP TEAMS CONNECTED
In the modern dealership world, keeping teams connected isn't just
important – it's a necessity. But with so many new faces, systems and
strategies, sometimes teams can feel disconnected even while their tools
bring them closer than ever.
To combat this disconnect, Doug says communication is key, along
with ensuring your team maintains a positive attitude – and a strong
connection to each other.
"Synergy is so important," he said. "With everyone working together, we're like spokes on a wheel."
D O U G ' S A D V I C E
Clear communication is key. Success starts with making every person know they matter, ensuring they
understand the impact their department is having and how they're contributing to your overall goals.
"People want to be involved. They want a clear path," said Doug. "They want to understand … They
want to know 'what's in it for me?'"
You're not a leader until
you can produce leaders
who produce leaders.
One team, one dream,
together everyone
achieves more.
