Even Experts Can Learn a Thing or Two...

Are you a master or a student?

Do you know everything that you need to know to pass on your knowledge to others?

Recently, I spent four days on site at a dealer group consulting and training a brand new BDC Manager. This BDC Manager is a remarkable individual with many college degrees and a lot of business world experience. He was brand new to the automotive industry but not a stranger to call centers.

In a short period of time he was able to learn more about how the automotive retail business operates than what I have seen from many people who have been in the business for years. Why? Because he asked questions. He displayed humility when he didn’t know something. He came into the dealership ready to listen, ready to learn — and ready to do what needs to be done.

This reinforced my belief that no matter how experienced you are, no matter how good you are, no matter how many titles you’ve held, you still need to approach your career with curiosity, openness, and education. The business is changing every day. Digital, phones, data, process, inventory — they all keep shifting. If you think you are done learning, you’ll be done as a professional.

Let me share a few thoughts:

• Experience is valuable. It gives you context. But experience without adaptation is a liability.

• Titles don’t guarantee effectiveness. If you’re relying on what used to work five years ago, you’re already behind.

• The moment you stop being a student you stop innovating. The moment you stop listening, you stop growing.

• The best teachers are also the best students. They know how to lead AND learn.

• Curiosity wins. Ask why, ask how, ask what if. Don’t just assume your way is the only way.

• Training isn’t just an expense — it’s a rate of return. Equip your people, empower them, and measure the improvement.

I came away from that week energized. That BDC Manager taught me as much as I coached him. Why? Because he showed respect for process, for data and for the challenge. He didn’t assume he knew everything — he sought to understand.

If you’re reading this and you believe you’re “already expert” — I’d challenge you to spend one week asking questions, seeking out the unfamiliar and embracing the uncertain. I promise you’ll learn something you didn’t know. It might surprise you how much more you can do once you admit you still need to learn.