From Technician to Fleet Leader: How Fleet Coaching Fills the Leadership Gap in Fleet Management
This Q&A is based on a recent episode of The Fleet Success Show podcast. Watch the full episode here:
"Fleet isn't just about turning wrenches anymore—it's about leadership, strategy, and community impact."
— Sara Burnam, Fleet Success Manager at RTA
Why Fleet Coaching Is the Missing Link in Fleet Management
Fleet management isn't just about keeping vehicles on the road—it's about leadership, strategy, and driving organizational success. Yet, a critical gap exists between frontline technicians and seasoned fleet managers. In this episode of The Fleet Success Show, RTA’s Fleet Success Managers Sara Burnam and Facundo Tassara dive deep into fleet coaching—a new, personalized approach to developing fleet professionals at all levels.
This Q&A style article explores key insights from the podcast, breaking down how fleet maintenance management software, government fleet management software, and fleet coaching together can solve today's most pressing fleet challenges.
Q: What exactly is fleet coaching, and why does it matter?
Sara Burnam:
Fleet coaching bridges the gap between consulting and implementation. After a consultant delivers a report and leaves, many fleets are left wondering what now? Fleet coaching steps in after the report is delivered, providing ongoing mentorship, leadership training, and strategic support tailored to each fleet's unique needs.
We focus on everything from KPIs and data-driven decision-making to leadership skills, soft skills, and team motivation—things you can't learn from a textbook.
Q: Who benefits from fleet coaching? Is it just for fleet managers?
Facundo Tassara:
Absolutely not! That's a common misconception. Fleet coaching supports:
- Technicians stepping into supervisory roles.
- Fleet managers with no formal fleet training.
- Teams seeking to align on KPIs and strategic goals.
- Agencies struggling to develop middle management from within.
The beauty of fleet coaching is its flexibility—it’s built around your people, your data, and your challenges.
Q: What are some real-world fleet challenges that coaching can solve?
Sara Burnam:
We see it all the time—fleets drowning in KPIs but not tracking the right ones, technicians confused about why data entry matters, and supervisors struggling with soft skills like listening and motivating their teams.
One of my favorite coaching moments? I played an engine knock sound during a session to highlight the shift from technician to supervisor. Listening skills become just as important as technical skills when you're managing people.
Q: How does RTA’s fleet coaching program actually work?
Facundo Tassara:
It starts with a conversation. There’s no cookie-cutter curriculum because every fleet is different. We assess needs, design a custom plan, and even integrate coaching hours into the fleet maintenance management software package, so fleets don't have to battle procurement for additional funds later.
We provide:
- On-site assessments
- Customized curriculum development
- One-on-one mentoring with supervisors
- KPI strategy workshops
- Ongoing virtual support
And it's all about implementation and accountability, not just theory.
Q: Why should fleet managers care about developing leadership at every level?
Sara Burnam:
Because fleet is the community. Every service—from 911 calls to garbage collection—depends on fleet. When technicians see the bigger picture and feel connected to the mission, their motivation skyrockets.
Leadership skills, data literacy, and strategic thinking are what take a fleet from good to great. Coaching helps embed that at every level.
Key Takeaways for Fleet Managers
- Fleet coaching fills the post-consulting gap by helping implement recommendations and develop leadership.
- It's not just for managers—it's for techs, supervisors, and anyone on the fleet career path.
- Custom coaching helps with KPIs, data integrity, leadership skills, and career pathing.
- Fleet managers can include coaching hours directly in their fleet maintenance management software package for seamless budgeting.
Fleet Coaching Is the Future of Fleet Success
The demands on fleet professionals are changing. Technical skills alone aren't enough—leadership, data literacy, and strategic thinking are the new must-haves. Fleet coaching is the bridge to this future, helping fleets at all levels succeed not just operationally, but as pillars of their communities.
Ready to take your fleet leadership to the next level with fleet coaching? Schedule a conversation with our team today.