Episode Overview
Christina Dear’s first job in the home services trades was answering the phones. Today, she’s director of operations for Zoom Drain and owner of two Florida franchises.
Dear firmly believes coming in on the ground floor is the best way to learn important lessons that eventually make you a strong leader.
She says leadership is key to the success of a company, but that being the boss isn’t an innate skill.
[Leadership] always starts at the top,” Dear says. “And sometimes that's a really hard lesson to learn, especially for young leaders and entrepreneurs that haven't been doing this a while.”
She’s learned that overseeing a business and a team of employees takes separate skill sets.
“You manage your business, but you lead your team,” Dear says. “And that is a very different mindset. Leading your team is about your people. It's about how you show up.”
She adds: “People aren't something that are just to be managed. They are to be led. It’s not your employees’ responsibility to meet you where you communicate. It is your responsibility to meet them where they communicate.”
Dear leads with clarity and purpose. And that mindset of clear communication with a team has helped her excel in the world of franchising.
She says having a network of people to share good and bad news with is crucial.
“That is the absolute best part about franchising,” she says. “You're in business for yourself, but not by yourself.”
Christina Dear recently joined ServiceTitan’s Jackie Aubel on the “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast, which included Dear’s thoughts on:
[6:38] How to learn empathy and communication as a young leader
[9:41] Learning the fundamentals of customer service
[14:27] The GROW values of a successful entrepreneur
[21:36] What new franchisees struggle with most
[42:08] How the franchise route provides opportunities for independence
To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, or anywhere you get podcasts.
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