As I reflect on the recent loss of one of my two mentors from decades earlier , I remain thankful for lessons learned:

◾ Employee culture and retention:
I learned the importance of hiring for cultural fit as well as talent. In turn, I learned how important it is to promote from within for long term employee retention and culture sustainment.

◾ Industry Expertise:
I learned about staying up to date on market trends, customer preferences and working closely with the manufacturer as a partner.

◾ Sales Process:
I learned the most effective sales process was customer centric and creating a memorable experience would maximize every opportunity.

◾ Operational Insights:
I learned best practices for inventory management, fixed operation strategies, financial management and the importance of passing this knowledge on to dealership leadership.

◾ Community Involvement:
I learned the importance and responsibility to give back to your community.

◾ Problem-Solving Skills:
I learned the importance of sharing and passing on to others experiences in overcoming challenges, which helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

◾ Customer Relationships:
I learned how important it is to first put yourself in the customer’s position before passing judgement. This has resulted in building long-term relationships with customers, which in turn drove repeat business.

Most importantly, I learned mentorship is a leadership obligation. A leader’s greatest contribution is not the results they achieve personally, but the leaders they develop who can sustain and elevate those results long after the original mentor is gone.