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Leadership skills — they’re something most people believe you’re either born with or you’re not. In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth! Like any skill, it’s always possible to learn how to be a better, more respected leader.
1. Follow Your Own Rules
You know what they say — the best leaders lead by example. Does the work day start at 8 a.m.? Are lunch breaks 30 minutes? Do you expect everyone to come in prepared for the day ahead? Whatever rules you set for your staff, it’s important that you follow them as well.
2. Encourage Criticism
Constructive criticism, that is. If you’re a business owner, there’s a good chance you’re focused on big-picture tasks, like hiring employees and reviewing budgets. But your employees are the ones working with your customers, executing lesson plans, and teaching the best classes each day, so it’s important to take their feedback seriously. A system that sounds great on paper might be less than ideal in the real world.
3. Have a Positive Attitude
Attitudes are contagious — if you’re happy, excited, and passionate, (how could you not in a business like The Little Gym?) there’s a good chance your staff will be too.
4. Praise Those who go the Extra Mile
Positive recognition goes a long way in the eyes of an employee. If a member of your staff goes above and beyond their job responsibilities, make it clear that you recognized it and are appreciative. If they’re really deserving, you may even offer them a bonus or gift.
5. Be Flexible
No two employees are going to work the exact same way. A good leader is someone who accepts that there’s often more than one way to get the job done.
6. Bond Outside of Work
You spend 40+ hours a week with your employees, but do you really know them? Getting together for dinner, company outing, or team-building event is a great way to show your employees that they’re valued and you want to get to know them as people, not just employees.
7. Resist the Urge to Micromanage People
Especially if you’re the owner of a business, it can be tempting to micromanage people in order to ensure the job is being done well. But not only does this put more work on your plate, it can leave your employees feeling stressed and undervalued.
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? If so, consider joining our The Little Gym family! If you want to know more about our children’s gym franchise opportunity, check out our Steps to Ownership page to learn about our process.
