5 Easy Ways to Increase Influence

As fitness professionals, many of us were not taught how to be great leaders. In fact, I remember more college courses on management vs. how to actually influence people. However, I have found that influence is actually the key to building business and surrounding yourself with a team of influencers is even better. These days, I actually look beyond a team candidate's experience, credentials and expertise... They need to possess these necessities, but if they can't influence others and gain followers, they will not help our gym businesses thrive. With this being said, I'm now a firm believer that to compete in today's environment and to remain relevant, we as leaders and our team members must be able to attract, retain and create "buzz" to be successful and continue to grow.

Here are 5 of many ways to do this...

BE VISIBLE

Before you dig into YOUR work at the gym or studio each day (working with clients, teaching classes, office work, etc.), greet your team members and your clients at your facility. Stop and listen. A simple hello sometimes isn't enough. Dig in a little and show sincere interest. Taking the time to genuinely connect creates comfort and security... Make it a goal to do this 4-5 times per day. 

COMMUNICATE

• "I don't know" is a deadly phrase, can create conflict, and disconnect the feeling of unity... thus our team members must know what is going on within the business at ALL times.
• Schedule team meetings on a monthly basis (or minimum of 6 weeks). Make it an event. Recognize positive performance (individually and collectively), motivate/inspire (find what works for you), share applicable numbers, ask for feedback and input, allow team members to participate and share, etc. 
• Schedule 1on1 meetings (monthly or quarterly). Take team members to coffee. Ask a lot of questions. Find out what makes them tick. Get to know them personally. Set goals. Learn more about personal and professional development and teach it to others (it's usually positive and impactful stuff!).
• Schedule sustaining quarterly team building activities (minimum of 2 per year).

And remember, communicating is caring. 

RECOGNIZE

• Team before clients. That's right, I said it. We have high expectations of our team members to deliver and execute aggressive hospitality, but they must feel it and experience it themselves... and it starts at the top (us). If your brand is focused on executing high service levels, it starts with you. You are the role model of the brand and the more you inject your brand "ethos" into the DNA of your team, the more it will be spread to your clients.
• Celebrate. Small victories. Big victories. "They're just doing their job" doesn't apply anymore. That's management. Today's leadership recognizes the little things that lead to BIG things.

TRACK YOUR NUMBERS

• We must know our scoreboards. EVERY day. We can't lead effectively and productively without knowing exactly where we are. We're in business. This isn't just a feel good, I'm in it to change lives kind of gig. If you want to stay in business and be relevant in the future, the best decisions come from understanding the true test of your business performance... the numbers. Your scoreboard is your business truth and knowing them like the back of your hand helps you, your business and ultimately your team members grow.
• Get your team involved. Share the numbers. Ask them for input, feedback and ideas.

And number five...

LEARN MORE

• The "game" of fitness is changing rapidly (online training, franchising, etc.) and we need to stay ahead vs. trying to catch up. Keep learning and educating your team on your discoveries. Share what's out there that perhaps they aren't seeing. Be an educational resource for your team. Study the industry. Brainstorm on programs and ideas with them. Do whatever it takes to remain relevant.

-Jarod Cogswell, WORK like an Athlete