Most of Bobbie LaPorte’s speaking engagements tend to be at corporate campuses and executive meetings, so presenting to the @Automotive Service Councils of CA in a large South Bay “muscle car” shop was a refreshing change of pace and venue. As she shares in her November 15 “Your Best Next Move” video, Bobbie realized how leaders of all kinds are facing the same kinds of challenges—and can apply the lessons we’re all learning about how to lead through uncertainty to other areas of our lives outside of work.
Transcript of Your Next Best Move: How can you use your contemporary leadership skills outside your work?
Hi everyone, Bobbie LaPorte here again with my weekly tip for your Best Next Move – where I help you have more agency in your work, acknowledge your capacity to act and see what you can do right now.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve given several talks about what it means to lead through uncertainty (that’s kind of my “thing” if you haven’t figured that out already). These have all been in venues such as corporate conference keynotes, workshops, executive retreats.
Last week, I was asked by a colleague to share my presentation with a local chapter of the ASCCA – which is the Automotive Service Councils of CA. These are business owners who run auto service shops.
I know what you are thinking…just as I was. Really? What do I have to share with these men and women that is relevant?
Now, I’m not dismissing them as blue-collar managers. My dad was a service manager back in Boston. I grew up in garages. I just wasn’t sure they’d be interested or benefit from what I had to say.
(as Julia Roberts famously said in “Pretty Woman” – BIG MISTAKE).
Let me paint the picture for you. The venue was a large, well-known “muscle car” shop in the South Bay. They had cleared all the bays to set up tables (with tablecloths, mind you); had laid out a very nice buffet meal with wine and a cooler of beer; handouts on the tables.
My “podium” was one of the tall toolboxes you see in garages. (Be careful not to trip on the equipment on your way over there, I was warned).
Perfect. Love it.
There was a large group assembled; they paid attention, asked questions, were totally open to learning and suggestions. They shared what they were doing differently in these times and coached each other.
Importantly, they understood the importance of getting results through others, of acknowledging they don’t have all the answers and asking for support.
It was a totally enjoyable and refreshing experience.
So why am I sharing this with you? So you don’t discount the new skills you are building to lead through these times, and how they may be applied outside of work, in other settings.
So, here’s my tip on how you can use your contemporary leadership skills outside your work:
Whether you are managing six technicians in an auto service business or leading a 10,000-employee public company, knowing how to lead through uncertainty is important for any business.
These new skills are hard-earned. Behavior change is difficult. Be aware of other settings where you can apply what you are learning; at home, in community organizations, with the many service providers you interact with every day.
This journey we are on together will require us to work together in ways we can’t imagine; to be of service to each other, to help each other see what is truly possible.
As always, I want 2021 to be a year of momentum for you, one of possibility thinking that takes advantage of the agency we sometimes forget we have.
That’s my tip for this week. I’ll see you next week. Take care of yourselves.