Episode 170: Fleet Rookie Mistakes (We Made Them So You Don’t Have To) - Advice from Award-Winning Fleet Managers

Sara shares how her fifth-year leap into the "100 Best Fleets" was game-changing, and Facundo recounts how being stuck behind a train on his first day led to earning the trust of a skeptical technician. The duo emphasizes networking, certifications, and shutting up long enough to actually hear your team out. Whether you're brand new or looking for a fleet leadership refresh, this episode is a goldmine of actionable advice—and it's way more fun than a fleet manual. 🎓 Key Takeaways: 🎯 Don’t change everything on day one. Earn trust first. 🧠 Listen to your seasoned staff—they know where the bodies are buried. 📊 Use your fleet data to tell compelling stories and secure resources. 💬 Have an elevator pitch ready with fleet KPIs and facts. 📚 Get your CAFM certification—it’s worth it. 🤝 Build relationships outside your department: procurement, leadership, and customers matter. 🧪 Always pilot before fully implementing a new system or product. 🐍 Beware of snake oil salesmen promising miracle fuel savings. Sara Burnam – Fleet Success Manager at RTA With over 27 years of fleet and automotive experience, Sara has led large government fleets with multimillion-dollar budgets and 60+ team members. Most notably, she was named Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year (2023). Now at RTA, she brings her leadership and operational insights to help other fleets succeed. Facundo Tassara – Fleet Success Manager at RTA From wrenching in his dad’s mechanic shop to managing city fleets and working in fleet tech startups, Facundo blends hands-on experience with high-level strategy. His coaching style is candid, practical, and deeply informed by real-world success (and a few hard lessons). #FleetManagement #NewFleetManager #FleetSuccess #RTAFleet #FleetLeadership #GovernmentFleet #FleetTips #FleetPodcast Looking to take the next step to fleet success? Start by requesting your free copy of The Fleet Success Playbook. Written by fleet professionals for fleet professionals, the Playbook breaks down the four key pillars of fleet success, and gives you the tools you need to build a truly great fleet. Request your free (yes, really, free!) copy here: https://rtafleet.com/resources/fleet-success-playbook?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213 Control fleet chaos with RTA Fleet360, proven software designed by fleet managers for fleet managers: https://rtafleet.com/book-a-demo?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213