Rinksider: July - September 2022

You're a Leader!

7 Ways to Up Your Leadership Game

Do you desire to be the leader known for producing the tasty results everyone talks about and attempts to replicate? Leadership and cooking are very similar. Everyone has the ability to do it, but it is a skill that must be cultivated. Leadership is not a title; it’s an action. When done correctly, it produces environments where people and dreams flourish.

Leadership isn’t easy and requires mental, physical, fiscal, and time investments. I believe you are a leader; leadership is the ability to educate, energize, and empower an individual or group to live a dream. The dilemma with leadership is that we focus so much on the dream or outcome that we forget about developing the skill.

I’ve been blessed to work with, meet and study the leadership styles of some amazing leaders. The most impactful leaders I worked with taught me that the best leaders work to develop other leaders. Leadership is about getting people to like you and earning the respect of the people you lead. As you work to elevate the operations of your roller skating rink, I wanted to share seven leadership skills with you and your team to cook up the tasty results you and your hungry customers.

1. SHOW GENUINE INTEREST IN PEOPLE YOU LEAD

Are you managing people or leading them? Leaders make time to understand and study the people they lead, including themself. What are their motivations? What are their likes and dislikes? What are their strengths and their opportunities for growth? Don’t treat the people you lead like a number. Know each person as an individual. Make them feel special by showing you value them as a resource vital for the growth of your business. What can you do to show genuine interest?

2. BE VISIBLE

Leaders need to be visible role models. It is essential to set an example of what you expect from others. Show up for the activities you ask others to attend. Show up on time. Let people see you working. When you are visible as a leader, you actively display the behaviors you want the people you lead to exhibit. What are some actions you will exhibit to be a visible leader?

3. BE A TEACHER

The most impactful leaders are teachers. They share their vision for the organization and teach the people they lead how to cook it up. Invest the necessary time and resources into developing people thoroughly and constantly. Do you have a training program that helps people grow?

4. DELEGATE

As a leader, you gain respect by giving away power. You can’t do everything yourself. As you teach the people you lead, you’ll discover their talents and develop mutual trust. Once you do this, you will be able to delegate tasks that best utilize their skills and abilities to accomplish the goal or vision of your business. Are you putting people in positions to excel and grow?

5. DO THE DIRTY WORK

Have the people you lead seen you do the dirty work? You know, the work that no one likes but has to be done. Show everyone that you are willing to get dirty, too. When people see you doing the tough jobs, you will earn their respect. Are you and your leaders only delegating dirty jobs at your rink to the people you lead?

6. BE CONSISTENT

Productive leaders have learned that consistent communication, actions, work, and honesty are the keys to success. Just like your customers expect a consistent experience every time they visit your rink, the people you lead want the same from their leaders. A lack of consistency in the way you treat, communicate and treat our staff can lead to rumors, uncertainty, distrust, and turnover. How can you improve the consistency of your communication, actions, and effort?

7. REWARD PEOPLE

We live in a world where we are quick to criticize people but slow to recognize them. All feedback must be given at the proper time, which is especially true for positive feedback or rewards. You will never be able to pay people what they are truly worth, but you can show

how much you value them and the work they do. Some people require a simple thank you, and other people require more. Find ways to celebrate every accomplishment or visual display of growth. If you genuinely know the people you lead, finding unique ways to reward them won’t be a problem. What unique ways can you reward the people you lead?

Remember, the toughest person you’ll ever lead is yourself. Just like cooking, I encourage you to learn the skills above, then modify, apply, and teach them in your own unique way that works best for you and the people you serve.

Frank Kitchen, CSP is “The Mindset Master Chef” - As a Keynote Speaker, he works with Organizations who want their people to break through mental barriers to cook up the professional dreams they hunger for. To learn more about Frank, please visit www. FrankKitchen.com