Where does Preston begin when he consults with a business? He breaks down how to think about forming teams and the operational pipeline. Ignoring this principle is enormously costly.
➡️FULL PODCAST EPISODE LINK: https://theautomotiveleaderspodcast.com/episode/business-operating-systems-for-the-auto-industry-with-preston-true
Themes discussed on this episode:
-The functional components of organizing a business
-The frameworks that make a business operating system
-Why people need to have a cultural fit and a productivity fit
-The process of reverse engineering day-to-day priorities
-Why many automotive companies fail in their strategic initiatives
-How leadership can effectively hold employees accountable
-The importance of empathy and challenge in giving feedback
Featured Guest: Preston True
What he does: Preston is an entrepreneurial leadership coach and business operating systems guru. His consultancy, Get TPA Fit, helps companies go “from stuck to unstoppable” with consistent, measurable growth. He’s also a founding member of Pinnacle Business Guides.
On leadership: “[Resiliency] is not just, I can weather each quarter or I have the stamina to do great work over long periods of time. It's actually in that moment when you and I may have a disagreement, in which case, I can not fall victim to all the stories that are manufactured in my mind. [...] You're offering me feedback. It might be a little tough [but] what a great opportunity and a gift.”
Episode Highlights
Timestamped inflection points from the show
[0:57] Diving deeper: This is a special episode — Jan explains how her interview with Mary Buchzeiger of Lucerne International struck a chord about business operating systems.
[2:38] ‘It’s not magic’: Preston explains how organizing a business starts with some fundamental functional components.
[5:06] Components defined: Jan wants details, and Preston names the five frameworks that create a strong business operating system.
[7:07] From excuse to opportunity: Preston calls out the number one reason companies give to justify their underperformance and says organizations need to “dumb things down.”
[10:07] The right people in the right seats: Where does Preston begin when he consults with a business? He breaks down how to think about forming teams and the operational pipeline. Ignoring this principle is enormously costly.
[14:30] Big, hairy, audacious goals: Jan expresses the dangers of leaders staying in the weeds, and Preston explains how reverse engineering a goal helps set priorities.
[17:56] Top of the mind: Jan observes that many automotive companies struggle with keeping to their strategic initiatives. Preston suggests how to keep goals front and center.
[20:28] See it in action: Does a business operating system really work? Preston gives examples of past and present clients who have found success with these simple tactics.
[23:26] ‘Peer pressure works’: Goal-setting is great in theory, but how do you hold people accountable to prioritize the right behaviors? Preston explains how and why small course corrections keep everyone on track.
[27:38] Advice for auto industry leaders: Preston invites anyone in leadership to see feedback as an opportunity and a gift. Empathy and a willingness to challenge others must be present.
-----------------------
🎙Subscribe and Listen to more of this episode for FREE 👉 https://theautomotiveleaderspodcast.com/
📰Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.gravitasdetroit.com/the-automotive-leaders-letter
🌐 Learn more at 👉 https://www.gravitasdetroit.com/
