Knowledge is power!

This weeks topic might be painful for some to read, but common sense to others. For us and our industry to grow, and be prosperous, we need to start sharing our knowledge to fellow technicians. In to many cases you have technicians keeping their knowledge a secret because they think it will make them more of an asset to their shop. Most of the time that thought process is “if I’m the only one that knows this, then my job is secure”. Well in reality, all you are doing is hindering your shop and the industry. We need to start sharing our knowledge with other technicians, especially the younger up and coming techs. If you keep your knowledge to your self, you are doing a dis-serve to your shop and more importantly to your customers. Because what if you’re the type that keeps everything a secret and you go on vacation? Now your shop is going to suffer, and you’re going to have some upset customers. I am a firm believe in spreading what I know as much as I possibly can. Our industry is in a major technician shortage, we are lacking in competent technician. There are multiple reason for this, but one of them is from this topic right here. Younger technicians come in to the shop, all they receive are oil changes and tire rotations. Then when they do get something more, you have other technicians setting them up for failure because they won’t share their knowledge to better the other guy/gal. This has been a growing trend and it needs to stop. For us to grow as a whole, it has to start with you (yes you the one reading this, FYI put the cheetos down and go do some training). Be the one in your shop that shares his knowledge and his secret tips. Not only will you help your shop, this will also in turn make you the shop go to. Because others will feel they can trust your abilities, and know you won’t make them feel bad because they asked a question. So do me a favor, tomorrow when you go in to work make it a point to lend a helping hand, and share some of your knowledge with someone. You never know, sharing one thing could be all that is needed to light the fire in someone. That fire that will make them strive to better their self. What do you have to lose?