With the inauguration of our new President, the whole country is looking to see how his historical leadership is going to help the current economical situation and the problems that exist abroad. As with any great leader, the most important component to have is a plan and the right people around you to implement that plan. As a studio owner we wear many different hats out of necessity. However, the most important position we must assume is that of the leader.
Our staff and our faculty, our students and their parents are all looking to us, as studio owners, for leadership. Good leaders understand that the performance of the team is what ensures their own success. So, the people that we surround ourselves with have to believe in the same vision that we have and be willing to go that extra mile to help make our vision a reality. When you hire someone it is important to realize that you are also inheriting their past and their peculiarities as well as their particular talent. You need to get a good feeling from them as to whether or not they have the right chemistry to fit in with the group you have in place. If you are a new studio owner it is vitally important to assemble a staff and faculty who are like-minded. By this I dont mean to diminish their individuality, either personally or professionally, but everyone must share the same goal and be able to reach it together.
Leaders are responsible for many things. Thats why the most successful ones are those who are the best organized. Leaders in any business are constantly in training; in our case, its learning new ways to teach or to run the business. Leaders need to motivate, encourage, inspire and support. They accomplish this by being a vital part of the team. When you, as a leader, work with your team you demonstrate a commitment to the goal and, as a result, improve morale. And when the team does well, a good leader makes sure to give praise; that encouragement spurs the team to even greater heights. Perhaps most important of all, effective leadership is demonstrated by the person willing to take a path that no one else has dared to go and who knows that their actions speak louder than words. Showing Leadership In Your Organization Meetings are important, whether they are once a week or once a month. Set definite times and keep to those times.
Your staff and faculty will appreciate that you value their time. Create opportunities for staff and faculty members to try out new ideas. Empowering them in a positive way will keep them closer to you. Set goals and timeframes for choreography, a project in the office or any other task that needs to be done. Give praise when these goals are met. Keep any faculty area clean and businesslike, even if it is just their mail slots where they receive their paychecks. Show them that you value an organized business in every way. Encourage them to be similarly organized with their time and with their classes.
Make sure that you take time to listen to your staff and faculty. It may be a great idea or a complaint, but the fact that you listened and showed interest will go a long way. If a staff or faculty member achieves success either within or outside of your studio, show them that their achievement has been noticed. Put any dance reviews or newspaper articles up on your board so that parents and students can appreciate the caliber of person you have working with you. Give staff and faculty incentives. It could be as little as a ten dollar gift card from the local coffee shop, a gas card or a dollar amount for every new student that they bring in to your program. Last but not least, teach your faculty and staff that it is important to have the mindset of Make it work! It will help all of you to make a success of your studio.
