Leaning into Leadership: Mentoring Your Future

by Jordan Hendler, WMABA Executive Director

There are many ideas and themes you could draw from attending the Southeast Collision Conference’s Collision P.R.E.P. class roster, but my favorite theme of the week from our gathering has to be mentorship.

So, what does mentorship mean for our industry today? It looks a bit different, depending on whether we’re talking about recruiting or personal growth. No matter what the angle, mentoring the next generation and into the future means the same thing: leaning into each other for shared leadership and borrowing wisdom. 

Recruiting with Mentors

Getting into the collision industry is a steeper ask than it’s ever been. To someone who has no experience, I could imagine it being a daunting ask to jump in on what looks like chaos, even in the best run shops. Most of the roles are steep needy loads of tasks never before seen, and in programs or vehicles more complex than ever. 

If we have hope of luring folks in, we need to make these leaps attainable. Star technicians need to humble themselves with the yoke of leading their apprentices into becoming knowledgeable. I don’t know about what you experience, but some rockstar techs need a lesson in lessening pride. Getting their buy-in depends on their “what’s in it for me”, which could easily be financially managed with the right structure. This can also be true for painters, repair planners, blueprinters, and managers alike. 

The goal is to grow these opportunities in which we can turn the untrained into professionals, and it takes a boatload of patience and intentionality. It’s proven over and over to be an effective and, over time, efficient way to grow your team. Just make sure you’re growing them in the places they can thrive. Planting people in a place where negativity thrives will never yield the employee of tomorrow that you want. 

Mentored and Mentoring for Leaders

I know I say it a lot, but truly I believe in gaining wisdom from others. A concept of humanity since forever, we always learn from others just down the road from us. They have already lived it, experienced it, and have opinions about it, so why wouldn’t I want to learn from those who have what I need? 

We all could pause and reflect on areas of growth we want, and put a focus on it. It’s a goal of my own to constantly be learning from others. I thrive on creating and growing things, whether it be our association initiatives or attendance to events or my own way of organization and logistics. Empowerment comes from knowing you have people in your corner, helping you to realize these desired skills or knowledge. I am so grateful I have a lot of people in my corner, in my community. 

The chosen circle of trusted advisors is the place where we should feel both ends of the comfortability spectrum. From feeling safe to being pushed off cliffs, I trust those around me to tell me the truth. Regardless of my emotions, I know they are here to push and assist me to be the very best version of myself. It is a constant movement so I don’t stay where I am long. 

There are times when I feel down and struggle with my current situation. It is this place, the one that is the most uncomfortable, where I am the most thankful to have mentors who have poured into my future. I can only return the favor by pouring what I know out for others. The more we live this, the better we can all become. And the better our industry is for the whole of it!

Want more? Check out the July 2024 issue of Hammer & Dolly!