Talent versus culture – which matters more when building your dream team? At Lewis Brothers, we've spent decades perfecting the delicate balance between hiring skilled performers and maintaining our unique company culture. In this revealing conversation, we pull back the curtain on how our 79-year family business approaches this challenging aspect of leadership.

We explore how seemingly small traditions like "Cancun Friday" (where everyone dresses in beach attire) create the distinctive atmosphere our customers immediately notice. These cultural touchpoints aren't just fun distractions – they're strategic elements that strengthen team bonds and differentiate us from 3,400 other Ford dealerships. As one customer with decades of automotive industry experience recently told us: "This place is different."

The interview process itself becomes a critical cultural assessment. We share practical techniques for looking beyond rehearsed answers to discover a candidate's true nature – from conducting informal walking interviews to involving existing team members in the hiring process. You'll learn why gut feelings matter and how aptitude tests can reveal personality traits that might otherwise remain hidden until after hiring.

Perhaps most importantly, we address the potential pitfalls of leaning too far in either direction. Hire purely for culture, and you might end up with a team that's fun but inefficient. Focus exclusively on talent, and you risk bringing in high-performers who damage team chemistry. The sweet spot? Finding talented individuals who are "moldable" – open to embracing your culture while enhancing it with their unique contributions.

Whether you're building a business from scratch or looking to strengthen an existing team, these actionable insights will transform how you approach your next hire. Join us for a conversation that goes beyond typical hiring advice to the heart of what makes a workplace truly special.

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!

Surviving and thriving for 79 years in business doesn't happen by accident. The Lewis Brothers pull back the curtain on how they've navigated crossroad moments and pivoted their automotive dealerships to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive market.

The episode opens with a powerful revelation - despite running successful dealerships, the Lewis brothers continually evaluate and adjust their business rather than simply repeating what worked yesterday. They share practical strategies for recognizing when change is needed, including stepping away from daily operations to gain perspective. As Matt Lewis explains, "If you don't step away from your business and the day-to-day hustle and bustle, you'll never see it."

Against the backdrop of their recent move to a new state-of-the-art facility, the brothers detail how they've created unique customer experiences to differentiate themselves in an industry where products and pricing are standardized. Their niche innovations range from doubling factory warranties to 10 years/120,000 miles without extra cost, to developing remote service vans that handle recalls at customers' homes or workplaces.

The conversation takes an especially candid turn when the brothers share their business failures - including overstocking $5 million worth of luxury Wagoneers that generated $180,000 in monthly floor plan interest. Rather than hiding their mistakes, they reveal how these moments became pivotal learning opportunities that ultimately strengthened their business.

For business owners struggling with when and how to pivot, this episode delivers actionable frameworks for evaluating your current systems, creating scalable processes before you need them, and fostering a culture where employees feel comfortable providing candid feedback. Whether you're running a family business or managing a growing team, these insights will help you recognize opportunity where others see only challenges.

Ready to transform how you approach business evolution? Listen now and discover why sometimes the most important pivots happen when things seem to be working well.

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!

The toughest tightrope in business might be the one leaders walk every day – balancing authority with connection, demonstrating care without becoming buddies, and growing personally while staying true to core values. This episode dives deep into the art of leadership evolution without losing your edge.

We explore the power of leading by example through our "three-minute rule" – if something needs attention and takes less than three minutes, handle it yourself. Picture this: snow needs clearing, trash needs picking up, or a customer needs assistance. Your willingness to tackle these small tasks speaks volumes without saying a word. However, we also discuss the critical importance of knowing when to step back – because while you could change the oil or rebuild an engine, that's probably not the best use of your leadership time.

The leadership journey becomes increasingly isolating as you climb higher, but that's not necessarily bad. We share practical strategies for maintaining meaningful connections with your team without crossing into territory that undermines your authority. From structured recognition events to thoughtful check-ins, there are ways to demonstrate genuine care without becoming "one of the gang."

Perhaps most importantly, we emphasize that "everyone wins when the leader gets better." Like the lumberjack who stops to sharpen his axe while others keep hacking away with dull blades, the most effective leaders prioritize their own growth and development. Through podcasts, books, mentors, or online resources, leaders who continuously learn bring fresh insights and renewed energy to their organizations.

Ready to evolve as a leader without compromising your authority or authenticity? This conversation provides the roadmap for your next steps in leadership development.

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!