As an occupational hazard, and it truly can be hazardous to my health, I can’t just turn off the news.
For the better part of 30+ years, I’ve had to stay abreast of current issues, report on them, and even at times make and break news stories.
So, the answer for me, with the madness of news headlines bombarding our TV screens, phones, radio talk lines and social media feeds, isn’t to turn it off and just bury my head in the sand — as comforting as that image might well be.
So, I dive in. I read not only the news that aligns with my own views, but I dive deeper into forums and discussion threads from all sides of the political spectrum to try to understand our world as much as possible.
What I have to say is that I’ve never seen it such a mess. People are so polarized — and not just in the United States. There was a day when we could agree on a set of facts and then argue over what to do about them, or what they mean.
Now, we live in a fact-free universe, where it’s become acceptable to invent and cling to your own reality. Worse, it then becomes acceptable, and even a mainstream activity, to shout your beliefs and world views, no matter how devoid of facts, reason and logic they might be, to the universe.
We have to stop doing this. And if people in your dealerships, or you as their leader are doing this, you have to stop.
Case in point: yesterday I went to grab a sub for lunch at a local sub chain. Instead of just grabbing my Montreal style smoked meat sandwich and munching quietly, I had to listen to the owner ranting and raving about the state of the country, how the current government had messed it all up, that it had nothing to do with the political leader south of the border, but that Canadians had done this to themselves, etc.
If you know the type, you know the experience. The ill-informed uncle at the family gathering that isn’t happy until everyone has heard his world views and worse, until he gets some nodding affirmation that someone agrees with him.
Frankly, whether I agree with the sub guy or not, is not the point. I’m eating my lunch.
When people visit your dealership, and when they go to work for your dealership, they are taking part in what could be one of the most memorable and magical experiences in their lives. They are helping the people who are buying mobility and opportunity, or something aspirational that reflects their hard work and elevates their status, or perhaps a larger vehicle to accommodate a family addition, or even a sports car to fulfill a lifetime dream.
Don’t ruin it for them. Don’t be the sub guy.
I was hungry today, and was on my way to the sub shop again. But I turned around and found another place to grab lunch. I don’t go to the sub shop to ingest politics and opinions.
People don’t go to your dealership to be embroiled in politics or dissent or conflict. It seems a simple enough message. But do your employees know that? Do they avoid taking the bait if one of your customers sparks a controversial topic? Even one from within our industry like the dismantling of EV incentives or the proposed government mandates?
Try to make your dealerships a fun, magical place to be. If you’ve got a ranter or a raver working for you, who can’t resist spouting off to your team members or customers, take firm steps to let them know this isn’t a required part of their job. Tell them in fact, it’s not acceptable and not part of your dealership’s culture. You should also consider how to manage the conversation about their social media posts.
I’m not suggesting for a moment people don’t have the right to their opinions or expressing their beliefs. But when they do it from the sales floor or car lots of your business, like it or not, they risk ruining the car purchase or service experience. They are speaking for you. And if you spend enough time watching and reading what people really think and believe these days — that should scare the hell out of you.
