How to Lead with Evolving Customers, Workforce Expectations and Technology with Kosta Kantilaftis
Tradies Who LeadShow Notes
When your people and your customers’ expectations keep changing, the way you lead must evolve if you want to keep up.
Kosta Kantilaftis is a second-generation technician, workshop owner and industry advocate with nearly two decades in the game. He started his first business at 19 and now leads Dulwich Hill Automotive and SMART Mechanic Sydney, and co-founded The Garage Network, a community of almost 6,000 technicians and workshop owners.
In this episode, we discuss: • Managing new workplace expectations • How to lead and develop the next generation • Ways the industry can lift capability through training and community • Building high-performing teams who take ownership
Chapters: 0:00 Meet Kosta Kantilaftis 2:53 Letting Go of Control for Freedom 4:15 Building Process to Empower Decisions 6:42 Creating Healthy Culture Around Mistakes 8:19 Leadership in The Garage Network 10:35 Mindset to Evolve with Industry & Workforce Changes 12:24 Building a Sellable Trade Business 14:15 Leading the Next Generation with Emotional Intelligence 17:33 Adapting for Different People 19:27 Creating Strong Team Culture 21:12 Understand Your Team’s Goals 22:41 Build Your Accountability 23:44 Wrap Up
Follow Tradies Who Lead on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or TikTok for more from the Tradies Who Lead community.
Tradies Who Lead is powered by Blue Leader. If you're looking for support in building leadership skills within your team, reach out here.
Or download our free eBook: 5 Things Every Tradie Needs to Know About Leadership
If you want to connect with Kosta, you can reach him via: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kosta-kantilaftis-bbb870204/ Website: https://dulwichhillautomotive.com.au/ The Garage Network: https://www.thegaragenetwork.com.au/
More from Tradies Who Lead
Landscaping is one of the toughest physical trades going. So how do you keep a crew motivated, run the business and still get home to your family?
What happens when your mentor ends up reporting to you?
Today we're joined by Dave Willmann, a licensed electrician, trade supervisor, and owner of Willmann Electrical, who's built a reputation across electrical, industrial, and commercial work. He’s also a trusted voice for sparkies online, known for his no-nonsense tool reviews and testing breakdowns.
Whether we’re promoted from tradie to supervisor, or shifting from tradie into parent, the change demands new behaviour.
Today we're joined by Adrian Gillman, a registered carpenter and owner of Kingsford Building and Carpentry in Metro Melbourne, with over 15 years in the trade specialising in bathrooms, extensions and detailed internal fitouts.