If you have been to GYM MOMENTUM CAMP or worked at my gyms you know you only have to follow 5 simple rules to keep me happy.
I used to have a pretty extensive handbook at my gym hat every year got longer and longer. It covered every rule , every teaching idea, everything. Although everyone was responsible for the information, few if any actually read the handbook.
General Motors has a 2 word dress policy. It used to be 10 pages. Now it’s just two words. (Why should ours be any longer?) It is more than just about the dress codes. It’s about leadership and common sense. The dress code, in case that’s all you want out of this article: “Dress appropriately.”
As a nation, we don’t like bureaucracy. We like the idea of a two-word policy, and the idea that people can apply common sense to interpret it. Besides, if you have a simpler rule, but different managers interpret it differently, it’s likely not the end of the world.
Nick Ruddock & Tony Retrosi Podcast
In the Podcast I did last week with Nick Ruddock I spoke about how I want to empower my staff . I cannot empower them if I micromanage their every move. I cannot dictate what they wear. As a survivor of catholic school, no one wanted to wear the uniform. We wanted to be individuals.
As a gym owner, are they required to wear a STAFF shirt? yes.
Do I care what color, what day? NOPE.
As far as their pants or shorts. Dress Appropriately.
There are some common sense “rules” that we need to talk about every once and a while. Do I want you to wear your staff shirt in town? At the Beach? At the Park, etc? YES
Do I want you to wear in in a BAR? No. I will gladly give you a shirt from a competitors gym for your drinking nights.
My 5 Rules. These go for every employee AND team gymnast.
• BE ON TIME. I consider ON TIME 15 minutes before you are scheduled to work
• DO NOT SIT DOWN IN THE GYM. Energy is contagious. You will catch positive or negative energy from those around you. It’s hard to be high energy from you ass.
• NO CELL PHONES IN THE GYM. Cell phones are everything from a stop watch to a video camera. BUT when you use it- it still looks like you are checking a message instead of paying attention to your group. I make exceptions often (kids are home alone, waiting for a call back from Dr.) but I do not like this to be a habit. If you are videoing- use the gym IPad. Without even getting into Safesport policy, it simply looks more professional to see you and a gymnast looking at a video on the gyms iPad than on your personal device.
• DO NOT COME TO ME WITH A PROBLEM WITHOUT A POTENTIAL SOLUTION. If you have a problem, give it some thought before you come to me, your coach or supervisor. If you don’t, that is just whining. The POTENTIAL solution may not work but at least I know you’ve given it some thought.
• EVERYONE LEAVE WITH A SMILE. Sometimes it’s fake it until the end of the day. This goes back to rule #2. Energy is contagious. If you (as a gymnast or coach) is having a bad day. Deal with it. Put on a smile and power through. You can make it until the end. Then crank up the radio in your car and scream if you need to.
It may be a North American problem but we drown ourselves in words. Why give a correction in 5 words when we can give it in 5 paragraphs. It’s as if coaches got paid by the word. When we overload the gymnasts with information we crush their creativity AND they probably stopped listening 2 minutes ago. (speaking of which- have you even read this far? I am impressed) .
Keep it short and simple. With your gymnasts and coaches- If a correction is necessary, give it to them with out going into a speech.
– Tighten your legs.
– Push through your right arm.
– Please where more appropriate shorts tomorrow.
It’s simple. NOW GO AND HAVE A GREAT DAY.
Tony
