From the Magazine: If you worked for you, would it be enough?

It’s not about pizza. It’s about putting forward meaningful gestures to the people who work in your shop

It’s a common sight: A shop owner brings in pizza on Friday, convinced it’s a sign of appreciation. And while no one’s turning down a slice, here’s the uncomfortable truth — a box of pizza isn’t taking care of the shop.

The real question every leader should ask is this: If you worked for you, would these gestures feel meaningful?

Today’s workforce faces higher costs of living, heavier stress loads and more awareness of self-care than ever before. People aren’t just looking for pay; they want balance, respect and purpose.

And the kicker? As a leader you want those things, too. If you’re running yourself ragged, skipping your own health, and never finding time to reset, you’re modelling the exact opposite of what your team needs.

Respect time, theirs and yours

If you worked for you, would you feel your time was protected? For technicians and service staff, that means fair schedules, predictable hours and real vacations without guilt. For you, it means setting boundaries, avoiding constant “after-hours” firefighting, and learning to say no when the schedule is already maxed.

Your people will follow your lead. If you respect your own time, they’ll know it’s OK to respect theirs.

If you’re running yourself ragged, skipping your own health, and never finding time to reset, you’re modelling the exact opposite of what your team needs.

Health is wealth for everyone

Auto repair is tough work. Long hours on the floor, heavy lifts, mental strain on diagnostics — all of it wears people down. And leaders aren’t immune. Taking care of health doesn’t just mean insurance paperwork; it might mean gym or wellness memberships, a shop culture that encourages hydration and breaks, or even something as simple as walking meetings.

Ask yourself: If you worked for you, would you feel encouraged to put your health first? Or would you feel guilty about stepping away?

Growth matters more than goodies

For your staff, growth means training, certifications and opportunities to build a career, not just a job. For you, growth means carving out time to keep learning, whether that’s leadership development, financial training or technical courses to keep sharp on new systems.

If you’re stuck, your shop will be stuck. Growth can only be modelled from the top.

Communication builds culture

Pizza gets eaten in 15 minutes. Communication builds loyalty for years. Regular check-ins, honest conversations and clear expectations make people feel seen. And that includes you. Do you have someone you can talk to, whether it’s a coach, mentor, or peer group, where you can be honest about the challenges of running a shop?

If you don’t take care of your own need for communication and support, it’s hard to give it to your team.

For your staff, growth means training, certifications and opportunities to build a career, not just a job.

Purpose over perks

Employees today want meaning in their work. They want to be proud of where they work and what the business stands for. But here’s the flip side: So do you. If you’ve lost sight of your shop’s “why,” if it feels like you’re just grinding through work to make payroll, it’s hard to inspire your team.

The stronger your connection to purpose, the stronger theirs will be.

The bottom line

Taking care of your shop isn’t about buying food. It’s about building an environment where time, health, growth, communication and purpose are valued — for your team and for yourself. When the leader burns out, the shop follows.

So ask yourself: If I worked for me, would it be enough? If the answer is “no,” it’s not about the pizza. It’s about the leadership.

Greg Aguilera is a director of IAC Canada, an organization dedicated to the management development of repair shops in Canada. He can be reached at greg@intautoconsulting.com.

This article originally appeared in the October issue of CARS magazine