How Do You Define Leadership?

Brandin Wilkinson, Director of Leadership Development, Bannister Automotive Group

People or Process?

We were sitting down for dinner after a group performance meeting, and from the other end of the table, I heard a voice say three words-"Wilkie!! People or Process?!"

While not everyone will agree with this, the answer seems obvious: people. 

It's not very often, or at all that we hear a company publicly state that process is their greatest asset. Now the question becomes, if people are our greatest asset, what are we doing to invest in and protect that asset? 

Thankfully, I'm part of the Bannister Automotive Group in Kelowna, BC, which is aligned with the answer I provided above. They are one of the few dealer groups that take action on investing in their greatest asset. 

At the start of 2023, we piloted a Leadership Development Program that consisted of 4 main topics: Effective Communication, Teamwork and Team Building, Emotional Intelligence, and Mindset. We worked with 12 Managers and Partners over the span of 4 months with 2 modules per category, along with a 1-hour 1:1 coaching session per module.

"All leadership is self-leadership and I have yet to meet anyone who is a master of self." 

While the feedback on the content far exceeded our expectations, it was the 1:1 coaching sessions and our leadership workshop at the end of the program that made the greatest impact. 

This led to a transition for me out of a Director of Operations role into a Director of Leadership Development position within the company, which currently has 1,000 team members. We are now in the process of building out multiple initiatives for our team: Leadership Development Program, Bannister University, Leadership & Goal Setting Workshops, and Group Coaching. 

Something that we establish early on in the program is what leadership is and what it means to them. You will likely have a different view of what leadership is than what I do, and that’s ok. It’s not about there being a sole definition but rather a definition that aligns with you and your beliefs.

Here’s how I think about leadership-

One person becomes a model for others

One department for other departments

One dealership for other dealerships

One dealer group for other dealer groups

One industry for all industries

In a word, leadership is influence.

We often underestimate the influence we have on our team and the ripple effect that carries with it right into their homes, relationships, and overall well-being.

I’m not saying believe what I say, as I’m not a leadership expert. But here’s the thing: no one is. Anyone who claims to be a leadership expert lacks an understanding of what’s at the core of leadership.

All leadership is self-leadership, and I have yet to meet anyone who is a master of self.

Maybe you are, or maybe you know someone who is, but for the rest of us, it’s a perpetual discovery process of learning and understanding more about who we are. And with that, we can understand others better.

By bringing out the best in ourselves, we will bring out the best in others.And to me, that’s leadership.Make it an awesome day!