One of the questions Mark Gilbert asks the people that he mentors is this question: What makes a leader?
Many people aspire for leadership positions in the automotive industry. But as everyone knows, it’s a highly competitive industry, and it takes more than a few rungs in the ladder to reach the top.
No one would know that more than Mark, who has spent years cultivating his work ethic and leadership skills in the industry, rising to become the success he is today. That is why he knows what makes a great leader in the field.
Here’s what he has to say.
1. Experience beyond the industry
Experience is essential to any career, especially if you’re looking to go up the ladder. Mark Gilbert knows that it’s not enough to be knowledgeable in your industry; you have to draw knowledge from other areas too. The men at the top know to look for someone who has experienced overcoming issues in different fields and see that they can adopt the same problem-solving skills into this industry.
2. A modern leader
The times are changing, and there’s no doubt about it. The workforce is getting younger, the industry innovating further into new technologies, and all of this means that it calls for a leader who can adapt to new things. It’s not enough to know the “way it’s always been done.” Mark Gilbert knows that new leadership has to accommodate and be a leader for the changing times. Leaders need to see a vision of the future and how to adapt and innovate.
3. Skills to develop a team
A leader is not a leader without a team. Being able to lead is a great trait to have, but building and lifting your team with you is even better. A leader that can develop the people around him in the dealership is a vital asset to the automotive industry.
Mark Gilbert is confident that with these exceptional skills, leaders in the industry will present themselves and be prepared to take on what the future holds.