Alan austin-smith explains how to be a great boss
At some stage in our careers, most of us will work for a really fantastic boss: someone who leads, inspires and pushes us to get the most out of ourselves.
It can be hard to put your finger on what makes a great boss, but it can make or shape a career and make a good salon a fantastic salon.
Hairdressing business guru Alan Austin-Smith, founder of the Fantastic Hairdresser Company and owner of the new Business Academy in Chiswick, explains what it takes to be a great boss.
Why is effective leadership particularly important during a recession?
It is important at any time, but during a recession it becomes particularly significant as spirits are low and fears are high. The crucial factor in a successful salon is the team, but when times are tough and their motivation waivers, it is strong and solid leadership that becomes imperative.
What constitutes good leadership?
Good leadership is about managing the salon with a mission, setting systems and standards so everyone understands the objectives, clearly communicating with the team to help them achieve their goals, and motivating and inspiring them to be their best.
How should a boss motivate his/her team?
Every team member has different aspirations and goals, so it is imperative that you first understand what drives each individual and then tailor the way you motivate each of them based on that knowledge.
How do you motivate staff during a recession?
Help team members feel important to the business by inviting them to have their say at meetings, spending time with them one-to-one, encouraging their ideas, and most importantly giving them concise goals and feedback so they've got clear direction on how the company will pull through.
How should a good boss deal with a problem regarding a member of the team without de-motivating the whole team?
From the outset, a good leader should work with their team to outline a list of standards that everyone must agree to. If someone doesn't follow them, it is the leader's obligation to pull them up on it or risk letting them damage the team. It is essential that you, as the boss, stay in control of the team and deal with any problems effectively, so always be brave enough to lose any dead weight that is becoming a strain on the team and explain to the rest your reason for doing so. If the team understands your actions and how it will benefit the business, then it should minimise de-motivation.
How important is it to delegate and can you offer any tips on the best way to do it?
Delegation is imperative in any successful company, yet many salon professionals often complain that it is quicker and easier to carry out tasks themselves. However, this is because their goal is too short-term focused; if you delegate to save time you will be frustrated, but if you do it to train and motivate your team, you will develop experts that can work successfully and independently, so saving you time in the long-term.
What are some of the most common errors bosses make?
The number one mistake that bosses can make is to forget who they are trying to motivate during a team meeting. Take football players for example, it's no good talking to them in the changing room about issues that happen in the boardroom, you've got to speak to them in their language to make an impact. To grab your teams' heads and hearts, talk about what they're passionate about, which in the case of hairdressers is how to delight their clients and, of course, creating perfect hair.
