Control, Influence, Acceptance: The CIA That Really Matters in Your Auto Repair Shop

Auto repair shop owners are some of the hardest-working people out there. They wear more hats than most—manager, technician, advisor, trainer, leader, problem-solver, and sometimes even therapist. But even with all that effort, many still feel stuck. Stuck with inconsistent results, underperforming teams, and frustration that things just aren’t going the way they planned.

Why? Because most shop owners are chasing the wrong thing: control.

The idea that if they can just control everything—every tech, every customer interaction, every number—they’ll finally get the results they’re after. But that’s not how it works.

Control is an illusion.

And it’s keeping shop owners from seeing real progress.

Lesson 1: Control Is Not the Goal

Rick White teaches that the only things a person can truly control are what’s inside their own skin: mindset, attitude, communication, intentions, effort, and reactions. That’s it. Everything else—customer decisions, tech reliability, parts availability, the weather, the economy—is outside of that circle.

Most shop owners spend far too much energy trying to manage things they simply can’t. That effort leads to burnout, resentment, and a leadership style that feels more like micromanagement than inspiration.

Instead of trying to force results, shop owners need to understand that results are a reflection—not a command. Results reflect the quality of the actions, decisions, and leadership that preceded them.

Lesson 2: Influence Is the Real Leadership Power

There’s something far more powerful than control: influence.

Influence is the ability to help others take action—not because they were told to, but because they want to. It's not about authority; it’s about alignment. Getting someone to move toward a common goal for their reasons, not yours.

In the shop environment, this means understanding what motivates each team member. What matters to them? What are their goals, frustrations, and personal drivers?

Too many leaders make the mistake of projecting what motivates them onto others. When a tech doesn’t respond the way the owner expected, frustration sets in—not because the tech did something wrong, but because the leader didn’t take time to understand what influences them.

Influence starts with connection. And without that connection, shop owners are just shouting into the void.

Lesson 3: Acceptance Is the Missing Link

Acceptance doesn’t mean liking the outcome. It means seeing it clearly. It means saying, “This happened. Now what can I learn from it?”

Every result—good or bad—is feedback. Rick often reminds shop owners that they should treat results like a ruler. They measure the quality of their intentions, communication, and follow-through. If the result isn’t what was expected, the question isn’t “Who can I blame?” but “What can I do better?”

That shift—from blame to ownership—is where growth lives.

Acceptance also means understanding that some people won’t change, some customers won’t be satisfied, and some team members aren’t a good fit. It’s not personal. It’s not failure. It’s information.

And once a shop owner learns to accept what is—and let go of what can’t be controlled—they can lead with more peace, clarity, and impact.

Real-World Example: The Advisor With “20 Years of Experience”

Rick shares a story he’s seen countless times: an advisor says they have 20 years of experience. But after a closer look, it’s clear they have one year of experience repeated 19 times.

That’s what happens when someone doesn’t learn from results. When they don’t reflect. When they’re not open to influence or growth. That kind of thinking stunts development, both personally and professionally.

It’s not enough to put in the hours. Shop owners need to put in intentional effort—constantly learning, adapting, and refining.

Lead From the Inside Out

The world outside the shop is loud, unpredictable, and often chaotic. Politics, economics, changing technology—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But focusing on those things won’t grow a shop. What matters most is what happens inside: inside the owner, inside the shop, and inside the team.

The shop owner who focuses on what they can control, learns how to influence their team, and accepts results as feedback, builds something powerful: a culture of growth, trust, and forward momentum.

Ready to Lead With More Clarity and Confidence?

If this message resonates, it’s time to take the next step.

Register for the next Shop Owners Round Table, held the second Thursday of every month at 7 PM Eastern. It’s a free, no-pressure space where shop owners connect, learn, and grow together.

Or, for deeper strategies, join the Pocket Business Genius Webinar Series—a monthly membership with over 85 on-demand trainings, live webinars, and proven tools to help you lead smarter and drive better results.

Stop chasing control. Start learning to influence. And embrace the kind of acceptance that leads to long-term success.