Auto Repair Shop Owners: Why Do Employees Leave?

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Leaving by Rick White, President 180BIZ (Estimated Read Time 3 minutes 45 seconds)

Today I’ll talk about why your employees or your team members leaving. The mistake you are making is you think they are leaving to get more money somewhere else. Well, money is a concern. You want to make sure you are in the top echelon as far as compensation goes. Make sure you know what's going on around regarding compensation and benefits. That's important.

But this is the more important part. And I want you to hear this carefully. They're not leaving for the money. I will give you four reasons why they're leaving,

1. Number one, they're leaving because they don't feel like they matter. They feel like a dusty old piece of equipment in the shop that no one notices until it doesn't work. People want to know they matter. People want to know they are making a difference. People want to be appreciated and recognized. When was the last time you were specific in saying something positive to your team? I'm will tell you that it's not near enough.
2. The second reason they're leaving is they don't feel like they're part of something bigger. They don't want to just be a set of hands working on cars or the front counter with clients or in the back office doing the bookkeeping or whatever that is. They want to be a part of something bigger. They want to fit in, they want to help, and they want to serve. People want to do something bigger than just get a paycheck.
   
   One of the coolest things that I saw recently was Tom's daughter got married. Brenda and I were blessed enough to be invited to the wedding. And we went. Tom had the team there and it was so cool to see how well they interacted with each other like they were friends. They hung around together. And it's so cool to see that kind of camaraderie because now you don't have a bunch of employees. You do have a team and they all feel like they're a part of something bigger.
3. The third reason is they're not challenged. You can't stick someone in a lube bay and keep them there for three years. You must show them a path from where they are now to where they want to go. You must show them the path to growth. Challenge them and give them work that's beyond their capability every once in a while that keeps them interested and keeps them excited about their potential. You should have a personal development plan for each team member that is tailored distinctly to them.
4. And the final reason they're leaving is that you're not helping them get to where they want to go. They will stay with you only as long as you can help them achieve their needs, wants, and goals. They are independent businesspeople. And as long as aligning with you helps them achieve their wants, their needs, their dreams, and their goals, then they're a part of your team. The moment they no longer feel like you can serve them and help them get to where they want to go, they're out. They will find someone else that will help them. That's why it's so important that you understand what they want personally and professionally. And then it's your job to show them a path working with you and helping you get what you want, helps them get what they want. You don't know your team members well enough, and because of that, they don't have a connection.
   
   We have this lie we tell ourselves that we should keep ourselves distanced and to a point we do. There needs to be some separation. You're not gonna own Oliver this, right? If they have some stuff they're going through, some garbage they're going through, that's not your garbage, that's theirs. You can be there to listen. You don't have to fix it. You can be there to support them. You don't have to fix it. You can be there to get them some help, but you don't have to fix it. You want to know as much as you possibly can about your team, their family, their dreams and goals, and their aspirations. Where do they want to be? What's the big hairy goal that they have? What's the dream they don't ever think will ever happen? And then show them how you can help them get there and they'll be with you for a very long time.

God bless. Stay safe, have some fun, and go create some abundance.

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