We’re great at fixing cars. But how good are we at understanding and communicating with people?

Matt Fanslow, host of Automotive Field Theory, and Margaret Light, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Equilibrium Therapy Services, explore the human side of auto repair, focusing on emotional intelligence, effective communication, mentorship, and the leadership skills needed to build healthier shop cultures.

Recorded at ASTA 2026 in Raleigh, this conversation challenges traditional attitudes about workplace emotions and communication. Discover how developing emotional intelligence, understanding different perspectives, and replacing quick reactions with thoughtful responses can strengthen relationships, improve mentorship, and help leaders create a more supportive auto repair industry.

What You’ll Learn:

The Field of Fixers: Why auto repair professionals naturally jump into problem-solving mode and how that instinct can prevent meaningful communication and human connection.

Listening Before Fixing: Why effective communication begins with understanding, not immediately offering solutions, and how slowing down and asking thoughtful questions builds trust.

Emotional Intelligence in the Shop: How recognizing emotions, managing personal reactions, and understanding the feelings of others can improve everyday interactions and workplace relationships.

Communication vs. Connection: Why talking to someone isn’t necessarily connecting with them, and how empathy, active listening, and genuine curiosity create stronger relationships.

Moving Beyond Tough Love: Why shame-based management and the traditional “grow thicker skin” mentality can undermine trust, discourage open communication, and weaken shop culture.

The Power of Mentorship: How emotional awareness, constructive feedback, and genuine mentorship build confidence, competence, resilience, and stronger relationships between experienced professionals and the next generation.

Leading the Next Generation: Why understanding Gen Z’s perspectives, values, and communication expectations can help leaders develop and retain future specialists.

Great shop leadership goes beyond managing production, measuring performance, and solving technical challenges. It requires emotional intelligence, intentional communication, and the ability to understand people before attempting to solve their problems.

The auto repair industry has invested heavily in teaching people how to fix vehicles. It’s time to give equal attention to helping them communicate, connect, mentor, and lead. Because building a remarkable shop starts with building remarkable people.

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