A Few Words Of Wisdom To Reformer Pilates Studio Owners, Managers & Head Trainers
I wanted to share a couple thoughts about being a leader in a Reformer Pilates studio. The leader can make or break the studio. Leaders values and abilities as well as how the leader decides to use their position will make a difference between a successful and an average reformer pilates studio. As well as the difference between good and great instructors.
By successful in this context I mean a Reformer Pilates studio that has a community feel. A place trainers and clients call a second home. By successful studio I also refer to a space where clients reach their goals. Where instructors are thriving to be the best possible instructors they can be. A business that allows the owner to make a living and live the life of their dreams.
Leadership is action and example. It is that simple. Ask yourself the following question: Would you be willing to perform a task you ask your employees to perform if circumstances required? If you say yes you are most likely the leader who has gained the trust and respect of your employees.
Some trainers are motivated by money whereas some are motivated by opportunities for growth & self-development. Some are motivated by helping others to achieve their goals and making the world a happier and healthier place. In other words being of service to others and contributing their energy and effort common good and building a community. Often it is a combination of them all with a bias towards one or another factor that may change depending on your life situation and circumstances.
Together Everybody Achieves More
I believe that the people, your TEAM of Reformer Pilates Instructors is the secret sauce for being successful. Simon Sinek famously said “You do not hire for skills, you hire for attitude” and I think he is quite right. One of the most important pillars of creating a successful Reformer Pilates Studio business is to find the right people for YOU.
The people who share similar values and are motivated not just by money but more. It is important to highlight that the people you hire need to get along with each other. Even better if they consider each other as friends rather than colleagues. Then you know you are winning!
It is time to fly once you have found the right people who make a great team together despite their skill level, age or background. Offer your team on going training and development opportunities. Create fun and inclusive mentoring system. The role of the team leader is to help your team to grow and learn. Your job as a team leader is to step out of the way and help your trainers stand in the spotlight and shine. Make your trainers confident, competent and popular! Watch the number of your mentees waitlisted classes grow. Job well done!
From studio owners perspective it is needless to say multiple waitlisted classes mean you can add more classes in to the schedule. Or purchase a couple more reformers if you have space. This means more opportunities for both trainers and clients. This means blooming business. This is good for everyone!
Understand The Difference Between Empathy and Sympathy
It makes a huge difference if you as a Reformer Pilates studio owner or manager are also a Reformer Pilates Instructor. You know how it feels to teach a big block of classes and smile through the bad days. How it feels like to give it your all to teach the best possible class to clients so they can reach their goals, feel safe, challenged, valued and cared for. How mentally and physically challenging it sometimes can be.
That is empathy. You are in it with your team of trainers, you feel all the reformer pilates instructor feels with them. Empathy means you understand that teaching 40 hours or group reformer pilates classes in a week is not sustainable and you would not ask anyone to do it. You have been there and felt the challenges trainers face.
On the other hand sympathy is a great quality but different. It means you understand what someone is going through and care for the person but you have not experienced or felt it. You can only imagine how it feels like from the distance. You have not stepped into those shoes but have your own idea how it would and could feel like.
I strongly believe this is why you have to practice what you preach. Walk to walk. Now if you are an owner or manager who is not a reformer pilates instructor that is fine. You can appoint and hire a head trainer to be a team leader for your team. A team leader who treats the studio as their own and the trainers as their family. The team leader who can be both empathetic and sympathetic.
How To Retain Your Reformer Pilates Instructors
I believe that the job of the head trainer, team leader or manager is to ensure that your team has a studio space where they can reach their goals. Where they can grow and learn, be a part of the team and community, be seen valued and respected. Where they can make a living for themselves and their families. Remember that if someone is purely motivated by money the highest paying easiest job will always win and there is no need to compete with that.
If you ask for commitment, open communication, flexibility, loyalty, honesty, transparency and reliability in return you need to offer the same right back. Do you offer fair amount of working hours suited to each persons life situation? Do you offer training and development opportunities? Career progressions? Team building events? Do you offer support and help? Do you lead with kindness and compassion?
It is crucial to make your staff your priority number 1. Try to forget the numbers every now and then. Focus on your team and the numbers start to look good as long as you foster compassion. None likes being around cold and arrogant bosses. Get to know your instructors and learn their love language. Do they love notes? Or would they appreciate you bringing them a coffee? Small gestures mean the world for most of us. Most of people will stay around people who make them feel like someone special!
Be Adaptive – Change Is Inevitable
There will be a day when a trainer leaves no matter what motivated them to work with in the first place. After all life happens and we are humans. If you genuinely feel like you are on a mission to make the world a better place, the amount of energy and effort you have put into building your team is never wasted.
You are going to attract the Reformer Pilates instructors with the great attitude. Your clients are going to stay because you have build a community and team so strong they do not know who the boss is. You have grown so much as an owner, manager or head trainer which gives you great satisfaction. You have made a living and you have made a difference in peoples life for the better. Lastly but most importantly you have made life long friends whilst having fun!
If you are after further reading on the topic leadership and team building Simon Sinek is your guy. He offers leadership development programs as well as his books are incredibly valuable reads for every business owner and leader!