Loyalty. Your staff will only be as Loyal to YOU as you are to THEM
We spend countless hours trying to build loyalty and trust with our gymnasts but not nearly enough time with our staff. Loyalty and trust is a priceless commodity which actually costs you little more than time. It is not based on perks or fear-driven. It is earned by creating a culture in your gym that values teamwork .
Culture exists in every workplace whether it is by design or default. An improved work culture in your gym increases engagement and productivity. It also will help get everyone on the same page. I like my gyms to be fun and I like to have contests (sometimes crazy) with my staff. BUT THAT ISN’T THE CULTURE OF THE GYM. It’s not just about fun and games and wacky perks. People want to be proud of the organization they work for. They want to feel a sense of achievement and deep fulfillment.
Make your people your top priority.
Culture is what guides your coaches when you are not around. It’s what you do when no one is looking. Loyal employees will tell everyone how great your gym is. They will uphold your brand and ensure the sustainability of your business. As Richard Branson famously said, “Train people well enough so they can leave; treat them well enough so they don’t want to.”
Coaches will be attracted to your gym if they feel they will have an opportunity to grow. To become a better coach and to have an opportunity to contribute to the organization. When you become a partner with your staff and help them build their career path instead of a BOSS- You become a leader.
Entrepreneur Magazine lists seven strategies that will help coaches feel valued and invested in and where both business and people flourish. (1)
1. Screw the performance review.
We give constant feedback to the gymnasts we work with in the gym. We tell them what they did well and what corrections they need to make. People like to receive feedback and be recognized when they get things right. Consistency is the key, not a one-off comment one time per year. Consistent communication creates a safety net where misunderstandings can be minimized and employee commitment and loyalty are celebrated.
2. Humanely wired to connect.
Strong bonds in the workplace encourage a more positive work environment, support people to step into a thriving world and enhance the overall well-being of the company. Fostering team activities provides opportunities for relationships to develop strong collaborative bonds that lift each other up in times of celebration and in times of need.
3. Plug in.
People contribute to the success of the entire business. Value is created by hungry, loyal and happy employees. A survey conducted by Korn Ferry found 33 percent of employees planned to look for a new job due to being bored and needing a new challenge. Leaders who are plugged into the organization listen with open ears and are present for improvement conversations.
4. It starts at the top.
Simply put- Lead by Example. If you want your coaches to make education a priority they need to see you make education a priority.
5. When people leave, ask why. When they stay, ask why.
Every gymnast and coach in your program is someday going to leave your program. I could be for family reasons, school or that YOU ARE A JERK. Ask the why.
6. Success leaves clues.
What we do is NOT unique. The annual list of Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces is a great place to discover what other companies are doing to build employee loyalty. Be a gym dedicated to improving their culture by investing in you staff teams and fostering an environment where people work hard, care about each other, innovate and have fun. By constantly seeking progress and moving toward an environment that nurtures people and business, loyalty increases, and business success is boosted.
7. Leaders cultivate leaders.
Accenture Strategy Study showed that the class of Gen Z, the so-called “digital natives,” crave the human element. Forty-two percent show a preference for in-person meetings and seek a supervisor who will mentor and coach them as a top priority. When you feel your input is trusted, people respond positively. Trust inspires people to rise above the line. When you invest in your people, they will rise to the occasion. When you don’t, they will also rise to the occasion. Investing in leadership skills early on benefits the workforce and the business at large.
