This past Friday, twelve highly motivated future truck dealership leaders from the US and Canada graduated after completing six intensive one-week classroom sessions at ATD Headquarters. Over the last year, these graduates gained hands-on, practical knowledge in each area of dealership operations, which will drive profitability and long-term success. ATD Class-054 is now prepared to lead with confidence, innovation, and strategic vision.
Why does this matter for your dealership?
In 2026, leadership development is no longer optional. It’s a strategic imperative. Research shows that investing in leadership education is a direct driver of corporate profitability and organizational resilience. When organizations actively train their employees to become leaders, they can expect significant improvements in employee retention, change management, and the company’s overall financial performance. In fact, leadership development is now recognized as a strategic tool for high-performing organizations to navigate economic uncertainty and the rapid integration of AI.
Key 2026 Leadership Trends:
- Retention as Revenue: Strategic 2026 CFO agendas identify employee retention as a critical driver of both revenue and reputation. Investing in leadership education has been shown to reduce voluntary turnover by 32%.
- Leadership Pipeline Priority: Nearly half (46%) of CHROs rank leadership and manager development as their top priority for 2026, as organizations depend on highly skilled leaders to inspire innovation and sustain growth in a cooling labor market.
- Shift to Continuous Learning: Models utilizing a mix of online/in-class and tailored continuous coaching are 40% more effective at skill retention and employee engagement, directly impacting productivity.
- The AI Mandate: In 2026, 70% of organizations are expected to use AI to enhance operations. Leaders must now invest in leadership comprehension of "AI fluency" - the ability to blend machine efficiency with human judgment and ethical context—to drive 2026 revenue streams.
ATD Academy gives your team the competitive edge:
Through ATD’s premier educational resources, including Academy, Professional Series, Advanced Seminars, Engage, and 20 Groups, you can equip your future leaders with the tools to thrive professionally and prepare your dealership for the future.
Act Now.
Visit ATD Education & Consulting to learn more and secure your team’s place in the next class or 20 group meeting. Invest in leadership today, because the future of your dealership depends on your emerging leaders.
