I’ve Got The Power

It may surprise some of you to know that a lot of salon employees feel disempowered and disgruntled.  If you’ve got a high staff turnover I’m probably not telling you anything you don’t already know.

Some of the problem lies in the semantics of ‘empowerment’.  As an employer you may feel like you want to maintain control over everything.  Who can blame you?  It’s your business after all.

I’m in the business of helping salons reach their goals via harmonious team unity rather than oppressive fascist rule (call me old fashioned). That’s why I’ve compiled these tips on how you can empower your team without loosening the reigns on your business.

Include your team in goal setting

Daily service opportunity sessions will allow you as a group to set salon goals and make the team feel they have a stake in the outcomes.  Take some time to read Megan Geer’s article on how to create a mission statement and involve the team in the creation process.

Encourage suggestions and creativity

You’ll need an open mind and two open ears as you allow team input instead of just dictating how tasks will be achieved.

Hairdressing is a creative industry, and if you always dictate how things must be done, you’ll quash your team’s inventive spirits.  Take all suggestions on board, but the final word is always yours.  Thank everyone for their ideas and don’t shoot anyone down in front of the group.

Commend more than you criticise

Salon employees often say that their decisions and actions are second-guessed, and most if not all feedback they receive from their employers is negative.  Always acknowledge good performances, and reward initiative.  You’ll breed a hyper competent and confident team who can deal with anything thrown their way.

Give clear instructions and position descriptions

Many employers give mixed messages to their team.  Do you ask them to handle a problem or project and then criticise how they do it?  Do you find yourself saying “If you want something done properly you need to do it yourself”?  Are you trying to run your salon without written position descriptions, operations modules and handbooks?

Be sure the team really understands what you are asking for.  Stylists often report that they are not sure what they are being asked to do.  Your team needs clearly defined position descriptions, operations modules and handbooks outlining the salon standards and rules, positional duties and how you expect them to be performed.  They also need training and re-training, even if they’ve been in the industry forever!

Demonstrate trust in your team

You’ll notice I used the word demonstrate there.  You can’t just say you trust the team, you must show them.  Remember your actions speak louder than words.

Salon employees often feel like someone is always looking over their shoulder to make sure they do things right.  It’s almost impossible for creativity to flow when you’re paranoid about the boss’ judgment.  Allow the team to make mistakes and learn from them.  Let them know you really support their decisions and growth.

Listen and be interested in your team

Are you a chatterbox?  Do you do most of the talking?  If you’re talking at your team, you’re not hearing them.  If people feel they are not being heard it’s very bad for their morale.

Show interest in your team; their health, happiness, goals, wants, and career development.  If you’re interested in your team’s growth it will translate into salon success.  After all, if a team member succeeds, so does the salon!

Get off the Floor

You’ll be a better leader for the team if you’re off the floor.  It will give you more opportunities to delegate to them and train them.  If you’re off the floor you can step in and help when the salon gets busy or behind in the appointment book.  You can give positive feedback to your team because you’ll actually notice what they are doing.

The best way to empower employees is to stop managing them and start coaching them.  Let them know they are on the same team with you.  This route develops their skills and provides specific feedback to help them meet higher standards.  Be their coach and lead them to salon success!

For more information on appraisals and finding the right buyer for your salon. Contact a salon specialist broker today on 1300 366 521.

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