The companies that win at scale don't become more corporate. They become more human.

Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating an environment where people can succeed.

In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, I sit down with Dan Clara, newly appointed CEO of Asbury Automotive Group and one of the most respected operators in our industry. After nearly 24 years with the same organization, Dan shares what it really takes to scale a company without losing culture, accountability, employee loyalty or customer trust.

We talk about career paths, employee ownership, retention, onboarding, training, leadership accessibility and why communication may be the most underrated skill in automotive retail today. Dan also shares lessons learned from leading through acquisitions, implementing technology at scale and navigating AI without losing sight of the human experience.

One of my favorite takeaways was simple but powerful: People create the experience. Technology can make us more efficient, but leadership is still about building trust, developing talent and staying connected to the people doing the work every day.

If you're a dealer principal, GM, fixed ops leader, sales manager, service director, advisor, or anyone looking to grow your leadership impact, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom from someone who has spent decades rising through the ranks and helping build one of the largest automotive groups in the country!

And his final advice might be the most important leadership lesson of all:

Stay uncomfortable.

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LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships.

ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals.