Hill Days, to be held on May 19-21, 2026, is ARA’s annual advocacy event that brings industry leaders together in Washington, D.C. for education, engagement, and direct dialogue with lawmakers. Over the course of three days, participants will gain the tools and confidence needed to effectively advocate key legislative priorities while building meaningful connections with peers and association leadership. Register now at https://www.a-r-a.org/calendar-2/hill-days/.

At NAATBATT 2026

In February Emil Nusbaum, ARA’s VP of Strategy, Government and Regulatory Affairs, traveled to Tucson, Arizona, to attend NAATBatt International’s Seventeenth Annual Meeting & Conference. NAATBatt International is the leading trade association representing the advanced battery industry in North America. Its membership spans the full battery lifecycle, including government agencies, battery recyclers, automotive manufacturers, and battery logistics companies.

As co-chair of the Policy and Regulatory Committee, Emil led the Policy & Regulatory Committee’s annual meeting and discussed how federal and state policy activities are impacting the battery industry on key issues related to manufacturing, safety, extended producer responsibility, and recycling­, which are of significant importance to ARA member businesses and how they operate their facilities. With participation in NAATBatt’s annual conference and committees, ARA has been able to learn about trends in the automotive industry and the new and emerging technologies that automotive recyclers will see in the next generation of motor vehicles. ARA’s involvement underscores the importance of automotive recyclers in creating a strong automotive and battery industry relationships as a key player in the vehicle lifecycle.

New Episodes are Live!

ARA UNSCRIPTED is a candid, long form podcast hosted by Vince Edivan, Executive Director of the Automotive Recyclers Association. Each episode features open, unscripted conversations with leaders, innovators, and respected voices from across the automotive recycling industry and beyond.

With nine episodes already released and thousands of streams, the podcast has quickly built momentum and an engaged listener base. New episodes drop every other week, delivering consistent, high-quality content to industry professionals who value real conversation over polished soundbites.

With no scripts and no filters, the show dives into real discussions about work, leadership, challenges, wins, and the human side of the industry—sharing authentic stories and insights that educate, inspire, and strengthen connection within the auto recycling community.

ARA Unscripted can be found on ARA’s YouTube channel as well as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Why Sponsor an Episode of ARA Unscripted?

Sponsoring an episode of ARA Unscripted puts your brand in front of an engaged, industry specific audience in a way that feels natural, trusted, and relationship driven—not like traditional advertising.

With thousands of listens across its first nine episodes and a steady bi-weekly release schedule, sponsors gain ongoing visibility in a growing media platform that listeners actively choose and trust. Each sponsored episode includes a host read message delivered organically within the show, allowing your company to share its story and demonstrate how it supports automotive recyclers and the industry as a whole.

Sponsorships are intentionally limited, ensuring clarity, exclusivity, and meaningful impact for each partner.

This is an ideal opportunity to:

• Build brand awareness with ARA members and industry professionals
• Strengthen credibility through authentic, host-delivered storytelling
• Align your company with ARA’s modern, high engagement media platform

Your message isn’t just heard—it’s associated with credibility, consistency, and real industry conversation.

Contact Vince today at vince@a-r-a.org for more information.

Connecting Out West

ARA President Shannon Nordstrom and Secretary Emily Yancey traveled back to Reno Nevada to the Peppermill Resort and Casino, the site of the 2024 ARA Convention, to represent ARA at the regional Western Auto Recycling Alliance “Driven to succeed” show. Shannon was a featured speaker talking about his personal experiences processing High Voltage Vehicles, storing and shipping the batteries and the challenges and opportunities it presents. Emily and Shannon engaged with professional recyclers from the western regions and enjoyed reacquainting with recyclers they had not worked with for a while and meeting new faces that are coming into the industry.

“It was great to connect with recyclers from California, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and other Western states and share our interest in what is best for the industry,” shared Shannon. “We were encouraged by the meeting and look forward to making deeper connections in the best interest of our industry. Sandy Blalock and Kim Glasscock put on a nice event and they said they were looking to build on it for the future to bring recyclers together understanding the importance of advocacy and association and to build something those in the west region of states can work together and can use long into the future.”

Leadership Transition for 2026-2027

In March, ARA announced that First Vice President, Sean Krause of Speedway Auto Parts, Joliet, IL, has officially stepped down from his leadership position on the ARA Executive Committee and Board of Directors. “It truly has been an honor to work with the brightest minds of our industry,” said Krause. “At this time, with a heavy heart, it pains me that I need to step down from my position as First Vice President and Board of Directors immediately for personal reasons. I can’t express how kind, understanding, and supportive everyone has been through these difficult times my family has been going through.”

“I have really enjoyed getting to know Sean during his time on the Executive Committee,” said ARA Executive Director, Vince Edivan. “His hard work and astute decision-making skills served the membership well.”

Association leadership team and staff are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and current President, Shannon Nordstrom, will serve an additional year as President for 2026/2027. Immediate Past President, Eric Wilbert, will also serve an additional year. During the Annual Meeting in October, a new Secretary will be elected and the Executive Committee will return to a five-member body.

Please purchase your 2026 CAR Record prior to your professional audit so that your auditor has a CAR Record to work with. As always, the dedicated contact

person at the auto recycling facility should fill out Section 1 – Facility Operation (the licensing and general information section) as well as the self-audit sections for High Voltage Vehicles (HVV), Recall (for airbag sales on eBay Motors) and the Gold Seal sections. Yes, Gold Seal will continue to be included in the CAR record in 2026 until the new Quality Compliance Program in partnership with URG is launched.

Being a CAR‑recognized member offers far more than a badge of honor—or even the branded swag you can order through Commercial Forms.

Members benefit from timely compliance reminders, enforcement alerts, and exclusive training opportunities designed to keep you informed, prepared, and confident in an evolving regulatory

environment.

A Clear Path Forward

ARA Board of Directors Approves 2026-2028 Association Strategic Plan

By Jessica Andrews

The January/February edition of Automotive Recycling magazine included a comprehensive “behind the scenes” look at the activities of ARA leadership and staff as they gathered for a Strategic Planning meeting and mapped the Association’s priorities for the next three years. ARA is pleased to announce that on February 17, 2026, the Board of Directors approved a Strategic Plan that will focus the Association’s work through 2028. Every three years, these meetings are held to keep leadership focused on agreed-upon priorities and staff focused on implementing specific goals.

The newly adopted Strategic Plan is organized around five interconnected pillars. Together, these pillars are designed to strengthen the professional automotive recycling industry, enhance member value, and position ARA as a trusted leader in advocacy, sustainability, and collaboration.

“The 2026–2028 Strategic Plan builds directly on the progress made over the past three years by shifting from building capacity to maximizing impact,” said Vince Edivan, ARA’s executive director. “From 2023–2025, ARA invested heavily in foundational work—launching a new website and CRM, strengthening advocacy leadership (particularly around EV and battery policy), expanding certification and compliance programs, and improving communications. The new plan leverages those investments by organizing the next phase of work into clear, interconnected pillars focused on execution, alignment, and measurable member value.”

Pillar One: Strengthening Membership at Every Stage

At the heart of the Plan is a renewed commitment to membership. ARA aims to strengthen, grow, and retain a membership base that truly reflects the diversity of the professional automotive recycling industry—how it looks now and what it may look like in the future. This includes serving all membership categories with a clear value proposition and a more consistent, engaging member experience throughout the year.

Key priorities include defining members’ goals and needs at each stage of the member journey, developing consistent marketing materials, and creating clear pathways that guide members through certification. The Plan also highlights specific benefit needs that staff have already begun working on.“We are looking to focus more on a practical, service-driven approach to membership value,” said ARA Senior Director of Member Services, Kelly Badillo.

Pillar Two: Advocacy as a Competitive Advantage

Advocacy remains central to ARA’s mission and is what truly sets ARA apart from any other organization. Through this pillar, the Association will work to continue to position itself as the trusted legislative and policy voice for automotive recyclers while advancing regulatory priorities that matter most to member companies. The Plan calls for expanded thought leadership on policy issues, stronger grassroots engagement, and closer alignment with affiliate organizations.

ARA will continue emphasizing the competitive advantages of Recycled OEM automotive parts over aftermarket and new OEM alternatives, while also formalizing a national framework for the battery lifecycle. Specific goals will likely be featured during the upcoming Spring Hill Days event.

Pillar Three: Financial Sustainability and Growth

To ensure long-term stability, the Finance pillar focuses on diversifying the Association’s revenue streams, increasing transparency, and expanding philanthropic support for the Automotive Recycling Training Institute (ARTI). Central to this effort is raising awareness of ARTI as a 501(c)(3) organization and strengthening year-round fundraising efforts. Please be on the lookout for opportunities to support the critical work that ARTI does on behalf of the industry!

The Plan also prioritizes nonconventional revenue opportunities, expanded donor and sponsor engagement, grant development, and improved payment and donation pathways. By broadening non-dues revenue streams and leveraging existing assets, ARA aims to build a more robust financial foundation that supports its mission well into the future.

Pillar Four: Elevating Awareness Through Marketing

Marketing and awareness efforts designed to increase the credibility and influence of ARA, its members, and its certification programs—both within and beyond the industry—are at the forefront of this Pillar. Awareness was a major component of the previous Strategic Plan, which ultimately led to the formation of the ARA Awareness Committee, and it remains a priority for the Association leadership.

Member-driven storytelling will play a key role, alongside campaigns that highlight the industry’s environmental “green” story. ARA also plans to expand recognition and endorsements of its certification programs and develop marketing materials as a service offering to members. ARA tested this initiative with a Valentine’s Day offering of 5 social media posts for members to download and use, and it was a great success!

Pillar Five: Strategic Partnerships for Greater Impact

The final pillar focuses on strengthening ARA’s impact through meaningful partnerships with industry organizations, affiliates, vendors, consolidators, and government entities. By clearly defining collaboration goals, defining how those partnerships benefit ARA member businesses, and setting realistic expectations, ARA aims to ensure that partnerships deliver tangible benefits to members.

A Unified, Member Focused Vision

Taken together, ARA’s 2026–2028 Strategic Plan presents a cohesive roadmap built on alignment, accountability, and member value. By integrating membership growth, advocacy leadership, financial sustainability, marketing visibility, and strategic partnerships, the Association is positioning itself—and its members—for a stronger, more influential future.

Making an Impact

Through this strategy, ARA aims to deliver clearer and more consistent value to members by improving the member journey, strengthening retention and growth, and ensuring members understand and benefit from ARA programs year round. “The

plan also prioritizes reinforcing ARA’s role as the trusted voice of the automotive recycling industry,” Edivan continues, “as well as increasing visibility and storytelling around our impact, diversifying revenue beyond dues, and deepening strategic partnerships that extend ARA’s influence and effectiveness through 2028.

New initiatives such as the ARA podcast directly support the strategy by increasing visibility, engagement, and non dues revenue. “The podcast helps position ARA as the voice of the industry by highlighting advocacy work, member stories, and industry leadership in an accessible format,” he shared. “At the same time, sponsorship opportunities tied to the podcast contribute to financial sustainability, while the content itself strengthens ongoing engagement with members and partners throughout the year.”

—Jessica Andrews is the Senior Director of Operations for the Automotive Recyclers Association.

By Slater Shroyer

The 2026 legislative sessions are well under way and ARA has already seen several issues rise to the top of our priority list. Many will directly impact our members and the automotive recycling industry. Some state bills are setting the stage to become national models that other states will follow. A few issues are new and others have been evolving for years. As we prepare for ARA’s Hill Days, we believe it is important for our members to know and understand everything we are working on, and why they are important.

Catalytic Converters

Catalytic converters contain rare platinum group metals. Platinum, palladium, and rhodium prices rose precipitously during the COVID pandemic due to global supply chain issues. The price per ounce fell precipitously as global supply chains stabilized and forecasts predicted decreased demand for catalysts due to the prospect of vehicle electrification.

Over the last year, platinum group metals prices have risen steadily. These price increases are due to a resurgence in catalyst demand resulting from the elimination of tax credits for electric vehicles and claw backs of emissions regulations. As converter values increase, the incentive to steal them also increases. Most catalytic converter bills are focused on theft prevention during periods of heavy theft. This is where the Preventing Auto Recycling Theft Act (PART Act) comes in.

The PART Act has been reintroduced by Congressman James Baird (R-IN-4) to reduce catalytic converter thefts by requiring identifying markings and stricter recordkeeping. It has bipartisan support. ARA is one of over 120 associations supporting the PART Act and has been working with the bill sponsors and coalition on amendment language to strengthen the bill’s language.

Another focus for ARA relating to catalytic converters is on reuse. The current stance on converters is based on an enforcement memo from 1986. That document allows for the recertification of converters for use as replacement parts but fails to set out clear instructions for testing and certification. ARA has petitioned EPA to revisit their language to make reuse of converters a more feasible option for recyclers and repairers. This will help vehicle owners afford replacement catalytic converters while improving our nation’s air quality.

High Voltage Batteries

Understanding the legal landscape around high voltage propulsion batteries requires an understanding of how chemistry changes value. Early hybrid batteries had a nickel base, but they aren’t as energy-dense as lithium-ion batteries and they have a higher self-discharge rate. Several hybrid models still use nickel-metal hydride batteries, but most batteries have moved to lithium-based chemistries.

Until recently, most lithium batteries used cobalt, a dark blue crystalline metal that is primarily mined in Democratic Republic of Congo. For context, cobalt is currently worth about five times the price of copper, which explains why batteries that contain it have a comparatively high recycling value. That cost is also the primary reason that battery manufacturers have spent years working to eliminate it from batteries.

Many manufacturers have moved to lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. LFP batteries are less energy dense than cobalt based batteries, but they offer superior longevity, are less prone to thermal runaway, and are cheaper to manufacture since they don’t contain nickel or cobalt. Unfortunately, this means that there aren’t high-value metals to reclaim in the recycling process. LFP batteries often have zero or even negative value to battery recyclers. This creates a huge potential problem.

Several states have introduced legislation over the last year that focuses on extended producer responsibility for batteries. New Jersey is the only state to have a law that regulates vehicle battery recycling. California, Florida, New Mexico, and Washington all had bills last year that could have dramatically changed the legal environment for working with high-voltage vehicles. New York had language which would have incorporated large-format propulsion batteries over an existing framework for small format batteries. Colorado SB26-003 has a high likelihood of passing and becoming a model framework for other states. Furthermore, the federal government is also working to develop a framework to manage high voltage vehicles and their batteries throughout their life cycles.

ARA has taken an active role in shaping these bills as we realize the future of the industry is reliant on their outcomes. We are actively involved in committees, associations, and standards bodies that are driving policy and drafting legal frameworks. We are working with manufacturers and battery recyclers to reach consensus on the most important issues. These conversations have helped all the stakeholders to develop a better understanding of safety, environmental, and economic concerns up and down the value chain.

There are other issues to consider about high voltage batteries beyond just their economic value. Illinois recently passed legislation that required batteries be sent to automotive recyclers. The Illinois EPA responded by proposing 50 pages of compliance rules.

UN 3480 currently requires lithium-ion batteries on cargo planes to be discharged to 30% state of charge. After a truck fire in Nevada closed the interstate for two days in 2024, Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV-1) introduced the Thermal Runaway Reduction Act which would have required the same state of charge for ground transportation. There is still no universal way for handlers to determine state of charge once a battery has been removed from the vehicle.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard for lithium-ion batteries presents a new set of rules and regulations for fire prevention.

The ARA Government Affairs Committee is tasked with developing a comprehensive position statement that reflects the goals and objectives of the automotive recycling industry. We plan to have a tangible document ready before convention.

Aftermarket Parts, Repair Procedures, and Right to Repair

Aftermarket parts sales restrictions can have several effects on the recycled parts industry. UT 119 is a very short bill that requires insurers to inform customers in writing whenever non-OE parts are used in vehicle repair. ARA reached out for clarity as some readings suggest the restrictions extend to recycled OE parts while others state they do not.

OH HB 636 contains similar provisions. Georgia’s HB1420 goes a step further and requires that all insurance policies must reimburse for repairs that follow OEM repair procedures which could include the use of OE supplied replacement parts.

Meanwhile, last year, a new judge finally dismissed the federal court case in Massachusetts over the state’s right-to-repair law. The law, based on a 2020 ballot initiative that passed overwhelmingly, gives owners and independent repair shops access to repair and maintenance data through vehicle telematic systems. It was quickly opposed by manufacturers and went into limbo until a bench trial in 2021. Two years later the presiding judge dismissed 6 counts but kept two open. The case sat in limbo waiting for a ruling until February of last year when the replacement judge expedited the case and issued a decision. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation appealed the decision a month later.

While the Massachusetts case was sitting without a ruling, Maine passed a similar “right-to-repair” law in 2023. Maine’s legislature passed a bill LD1228 that made substantial changes to the law replacing “independent entity” with a commission that lacked rulemaking authority and eliminating the requirement to equip vehicles with an “inter-operable, standardized and owner-authorized access platform.” Maine’s governor vetoed LD1228 this past January.

Tariffs

Tariffs have become an issue for recycled auto parts being shipped between the U.S. and Canada. The heart of the issue is that recycled parts from end-of-life vehicles do not always have clear countries of origin. Modern automobiles are assembled from parts that are shipped to plants from all over the globe. This creates a unique challenge for businesses that dismantle vehicles that may have been assembled in one country but contain parts that could be manufactured from anywhere. ARA has petitioned the White House in April 2025 for an exemption from tariffs as it is impracticable to identify countries of origin, the value of used parts is subjective in nature, and decreasing imports will cause a reduction in the reclamation of critical minerals within the U.S.

Hill Days

These issues represent just a fraction of the work ARA’s Government Affairs Committee and members are addressing every day on behalf of our members and the automotive recycling industry. From shaping high voltage battery frameworks at the state and federal level, to fighting for fair tariff treatment and championing catalytic converter reuse, ARA is at the table, participating on committees, building coalitions, and engaging with policymakers. ARA is working to ensure that our industry's voice is heard loud and clear.

Notwithstanding, advocacy is most powerful when it comes directly from the people whose livelihoods depend on the outcomes. That is why we are calling on every ARA member to join us for Hill Days. This is your opportunity to meet in-person with your elected representatives, share your firsthand exper iences, and demonstrate that automotive recyclers are a vital part of the American economy. The decisions being made right now will shape our industry for decades to come.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of them. Make your voice count. Register for Hill Days by visiting ARA’s website at www.a-r-a.org!.

Slater Shroyer is CEO of Shroyer Auto Parts in Lansing, MI.As an active volunteer in the automotive recycling industry, he is chair of the ARA Government Affairs Committee and also current president of the Automotive Recyclers of Michigan.

Send your photo(s) as high resolution JPG format, along with a description

or identification of the people/things included to caryn@a-r-a.org.

In March, ARA’s Emil Nusbaum (right), Vice President of Strategy, Government and Regulatory Affairs joined ARA Past President Norman Wright (left) of Stadium Auto Parts Inc., represent the Colorado Auto Recyclers Association to testify in Denver on SB-003, legislation seeking to regulate how automotive recyclers process vehicles containing high-voltage batteries.

As policymakers grapple with the rapid growth of electric vehicles, ARA is helping to make sure that legislation reflects the operational, safety, and economic challenges facing the automotive recycling industry.

He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” —Friedrich Nietzsche

In business and in life, safety nets are comforting. We love the idea of having a backup plan, a Plan B that we can lean on if things get hard. Yet history shows that some of the most remarkable leaders succeeded not because they had many options, but because they eliminated them. By removing the escape hatch, they unlocked commitment, creativity, and resilience.

In sports, Bo Eason, a former NFL player turned leadership coach, often reminds audiences: “There is no Plan B for your A-game.” In psychology, this is called the commitment effect. When we believe there is no alternative, our brains find new ways to win. For leaders, this doesn’t mean recklessness. It means clarity: choosing one path and going all in.

Running a recycling yard, auto parts company, or any small business is tough. The economy fluctuates, employees leave, technology evolves, and regulations shift. It feels natural to create fallback options. Yet Plan B often becomes an excuse for half-hearted effort in Plan A.

Jim Collins, in Good to Great, highlighted that the best companies did not hedge endlessly—they confronted brutal facts and acted decisively. Leaders who cling to backup plans unconsciously signal doubt to themselves and their teams.

Let’s talk about examples. Hernán Cortés, when arriving in Mexico, famously ordered his men to burn the ships. With no way back, they fought harder. While controversial, the lesson is clear: full commitment sparks extraordinary action. Another example would be Steve Jobs, when returning to Apple, cut dozens of projects to focus entirely on a handful. That ruthless focus gave us the iMac, the iPod, and, later, the iPhone.

Consider two entrepreneurs: one keeps a side job “just in case,” while the other commits fully to the business. The first hesitates when challenges arise. The second innovation is that survival depends on it. Guess who grows faster?

Behavioral scientists describe a phenomenon called loss aversion: people fear losing more than they enjoy winning. When there’s no backup, loss aversion becomes fuel. Leaders think, “I can’t afford to fail,” and that urgency breeds ingenuity.

Angela Duckworth, in Grit, explains that sustained passion and perseverance—not talent—drive long-term achievement. Having no Plan B forces leaders to develop grit.

Coaching Applications for Yard Owners

1. Clarify Your A-Game

Ask: What is my Plan A? Is it growth through e-commerce? Expansion into new territories? Strengthening customer loyalty? Unless this vision is crystal clear, abandoning Plan B becomes meaningless.

2. Communicate Commitment

Teams need to feel their leader’s conviction. When employees see hesitation, they mirror it. When they see unshakable clarity, they rise to the occasion.

3. Use Constraints to Innovate

Having fewer options can feel limiting, but constraints spark creativity. A yard owner who cannot outspend competitors must out think them: through better service, stronger supplier relationships, or smarter use of technology.

Of course, not every Plan B should be abandoned. Leaders must separate backup mindset from risk management. Insurance, legal structures, and financial safeguards are necessary. The goal is not to eliminate protection—it is to eliminate hesitation. As the proverb says: “If you chase two rabbits, you catch none.”

Commitment without Plan B is not natural—it is trained. Like exercise, it starts with small reps:

• Choose one business priority for the quarter, instead of three.
• Make one key hire and invest fully in their development.
• Say no to one opportunity that distracts from your core focus.

Each decision builds the muscle of courage. Over time, this becomes a leadership identity.

Imagine facing a decision: invest in modernizing your inventory system or keep running the outdated one while “considering alternatives.” A leader with Plan B delays, research drags, and opportunities slip. A leader without Plan B commits, invests, and adapts along the way. The difference is months of progress versus months of doubt.

What Famous Thinkers Teach Us

• Marcus Aurelius taught: “If it is not right, do not do it; if it is not true, do not say it.” This clarity of principle is Plan A leadership.
• Ramit Sethi, in I Will Teach You to Be Rich, advises automating your financial decisions to eliminate hesitation. Similarly, leaders automate conviction by eliminating escape routes.
• Seneca reminded us: “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.”

Here’s a coaching exercise: write down your top three goals for the next year. Now cross out two. Focus only on the one that matters most. Commit publicly—tell your team, write it on your wall, make it non-negotiable. Watch how that singular focus transforms your energy and results. Good luck, and remember, “No plan B”.

Leadership is not about having a thousand doors open; it is about walking boldly through one. Plan B is comfort; Plan A is destiny. Great leaders know that when you remove the safety net, you discover wings.

By leading without a Plan B, you give yourself and your team permission to go all in—and sometimes, going all in is the only way to win. I’ll end up with a famous phrase from Norman Vincent Peale: “Throw your heart over the fence, and the rest will follow.”

Carlos Barboza is the owner of Eco Green Auto Parts, Orlando, FL. Their website is https://ecogautoparts.com and they can be found on Facebook @ecogreenautoparts.

At the ARA Convention 2025, I had the privilege of delivering a presentation titled Shaping the Future of Our Industry – Developing the Leader Within You 2.0.

My goal wasn’t simply to share leadership theory. It was to challenge every one of us to think deeply about the kind of leaders we are becoming—because the future of our industry depends on it.

I opened with a simple but uncomfortable question: “Do you trust me?”

That question goes straight to the heart of leadership today.

We are operating in a world where trust is no longer automatic. Distrust has become the default setting. Leaders are questioned more quickly, scrutinized more heavily, and given less benefit of the doubt than ever before. In that environment, technical competence alone is not enough. Strategy is not enough. Authority is not enough.

The future of leadership is trust.

And trust must be built intentionally.

One of the foundational principles I shared comes from John C. Maxwell: Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.

Too often, we equate leadership with position. But we’ve all seen people with impressive titles who struggle to lead effectively. Position may give you authority, but it does not guarantee influence.

Every single one of us influences someone—our teams, our peers, our families, our industry colleagues. The real question is whether that influence is positive or negative.

I walked through the Five Levels of Leadership framework:

Position—People follow because they have to.

Permission—People follow because they want to.

Production—People follow because of results.

People Development—People follow because of what you’ve done for them.

Pinnacle—People follow because of who you are and what you represent.

Most leaders start at Level 1—Positional leadership. That’s natural. But it’s a dangerous place to stay. At that level, once the authority is removed, so is the influence.

Real growth begins when we move beyond Position and begin building relationships, producing results, and ultimately developing other leaders. One of the most powerful shifts happens at Level 4 —when your success is measured not by what you achieve personally, but by how many leaders you raise up around you.

That’s when influence becomes sustainable.

The Key to Leadership: Priorities

I then turned to a challenge that every leader in the room could relate to: time pressure.

Whenever I coach leaders, the same issue comes up — “There aren’t enough hours in the day.” But here’s the truth: we cannot manage time. We all get the same 24 hours. What we can manage is our priorities.

One of the biggest mistakes we make is confusing activity with effectiveness. We fill our calendars and call it productivity. But leadership is not about being busy—it’s about focusing on what truly matters.

A few priority principles I shared included:

• Working smarter has a higher return than working harder.
• You can’t have it all.
• The good is often the enemy of the best.
• Proactive beats reactive.
• The important must take precedence over the urgent.

If everything is a priority, nothing is a priority.

I also talked about the importance of creating margin. Early in my leadership journey, I thought every waking minute needed to be filled with productive activity. I learned the hard way that this approach only creates stress—not just for the leader, but for the entire team and family.

Margin—the space between load and limit—is not laziness. It’s leadership wisdom. It gives us room to think, reflect, anticipate and renew energy. Without it, we burn out—and so do the people around us.

The Foundation of Leadership: Character

If influence defines leadership and priorities guide it, then character sustains it.

I used the analogy of a house. Before you purchase a home, the foundation is inspected. Why? Because no matter how impressive the structure appears, it cannot stand without a solid base.

The same is true for leaders.

We’ve all seen leaders whose influence collapsed overnight. In almost every case, the issue wasn’t competence—it was character.

I shared three areas that strengthen a leader’s foundation:

• Valuing people—placing others’ needs above your own.
• Practicing self-leadership—doing the right thing even when you don’t feel like it; and not doing the wrong thing even when you want to.
• Embracing good values—clearly defining and consistently living out your core values.

It is impossible to maintain good character if you haven’t defined what you truly value. When you know what you stand for, difficult decisions become clearer.

Character builds credibility. Credibility builds trust.

Consistency: The Engine of Trust

One of the strongest reactions in the room came when I spoke about consistency.

Many of us have experienced inconsistent leadership—where teams never quite know which version of their leader will show up to the meeting. That unpredictability erodes trust.

Consistency, on the other hand, creates a sense of emotional safety. It creates clarity. It creates long-term impact.

I summarized it in three simple statements:

• Be clear about what you expect.
• Reward it when you see it.
• Correct it when you don’t.

It sounds simple—because it is. But it requires discipline.

Trust is not built through occasional excellence. It is built through consistent behavior over time.

Trust Requires Risk

Finally, I challenged the room with this thought: the best way to know if you can trust someone is to trust them.

That always involves risk. Some people will disappoint us. But the greater risk

is refusing to trust at all. When leaders try to control everything, they limit both their own growth and their team’s potential.

Someone trusted us when we were still developing. Someone gave us an opportunity before we were fully ready. Now it’s our turn to extend that same trust.

Everyone Wins When the Leader Gets Better

I closed the session with a simple conviction: when leaders grow, everyone wins.

Our industry faces challenges. It faces disruption. It faces increasing complexity. But its future will not be determined by technology alone—it will be shaped by leadership.

If we grow our influence, clarify our priorities, strengthen our character, and lead with consistent trust, we will not only build stronger businesses—we will shape a stronger, more ethical, more resilient industry.

And that is a future worth leading toward.

Andy Latham is Managing Director of Salvage Wire. His desire is to highlight the professionalism in the vehicle recycling industry, increase knowledge and understanding, and keep everyone safe, ethical and profitable. Book your complimentary one-hour consultation today at www.salvageinsight.co.uk.