Q4 Strategy Sessions: Patrick Abad on Leading Through the Holidays

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Episode #1175: It’s Q4 Strategy Week on The Automotive State of the Union! Paul and Kyle sit down with Patrick Abad of Beaver Toyota and Mazda to talk about leading your team through the holidays — when emotions run high, sales run hotter, and leadership matters most.

Show Notes:

• The holiday season brings both family time and the busiest sales stretch of the year — and great leaders have to balance both.
• Involve your people in event planning (like Black Friday or end-of-year sales) so they feel ownership, not obligation.
• Find the influencers in each department — not necessarily the managers — and include them in decision-making.
• When you go for a holiday event or promotion, go all-in. Half-efforts kill momentum and trust.
• Give your team breathing room earlier in the month so they can give their all when it counts.
• “You can’t ask your people to give everything at the end of the year if you haven’t given them anything along the way.” — Patrick Abad

Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

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