In all industries, business success hinges on the ability of organizational leaders to engage the hearts and minds of their employees. According to research by the Harvard Business School, only 28% of U.S. employees are engaged or are actively pursuing top performance on behalf of their organizations. Obviously, this has a profound effect on the bottom line, as engaged employees lead to engaged customers, who in turn drive a company’s growth and long-term profitability. So what can organizational leaders within the health and fitness industry do to engage their employees toward exemplary performance? The answer lies not in consulting the thousands of books on leadership published annually, but rather in setting goals, the employment of accountability measures, and removing impediments that inhibit high performance. Managed correctly, each area shows your employees that you are an advocate for them and are invested in their success.
Goal Setting
The results of a 2002 study on performance management illustrates that a strong correlation exists between clearly defined goals and individual, organizational performance. Only 25% of employees surveyed indicated their organizations managed employee performance well, and 40% illustrated no clear link between jobs and performance. Thus, when it comes to goal setting, begin with the end in mind. Outline both the financial and non-financial objectives the organization and the employee would like to attain. This process must include eliciting feedback from employees to ensure they take “ownership” of their contribution. Further, “inspect what you expect.” Manage the numbers and assess performance frequently, but be sure not to micro-manage. Make sure your team members understand they will be accountable to the goals they “own” and that their contributions make a significant difference beyond their day-to-day tasks.
Employment of Accountability Measures
The principle of “accountability” is often misunderstood by organizational leaders as “punishment.” Placed within the appropriate context, however, the employment of accountability measures can serve to enhance employee performance. Accordingly, a 2007 study on commercial health and fitness facilities found that 75% of fitness managers at high performing clubs employ accountability measures to help employees overcome gaps in performance. This gives managers the ability to address performance gaps based on defined organizational benchmarks. For example, the construction of action plans assists employees toward the achievement of defined objectives and helps guide managers toward appropriate follow up actions, thereby systematizing the work for each employee. Employees strive for success, and having a “road map” with the ability course correct helps to actualize their individual potential for excellence within their job function.
Removing Impediments
Research in the Harvard Business Review shows that one of the most important managerial behaviors involves enabling people to move forward in their work by removing impediments. So, how do you remove impediments? Throw out or limit (significantly) those business practices that do not directly contribute to revenue generation, cost savings, or customer satisfaction. Additionally, take a hard look at the policies and protocols that inhibit results and exercise caution when developing processes. While these are used to control variables, they potentially disengage employees by not allowing them to think for themselves. Constantly remind your staff why their work matters and cultivate an environment that allows your team members to progress in their work, which will enhance their overall satisfaction in addition to contributing to bottom line results. Enable progress by articulating goals and getting out of their way.
At no other time in its history has there been the level of national focus on health, fitness, and wellness that we are seeing today. Knowing this, leadership within health and fitness facilities must differentiate their business by engaging their employees through goal setting programs, the employment of accountability measures, and the removal of impediments that inhibit success. The implementation and execution in these areas serve as critical success factors related to the organization’s ability to achieve desired outcomes. Further, it creates an environment whereby employees feel valued, consistently pursue excellence, and find profound meaning in their work.
Dr. Edward M. Slover has eleven years of diversified experience within the commercial health and fitness industry and holds a doctor of management in organizational leadership. presently, he works as the director of sales and account management for apex fitness group, a division of 24 hour fitness, inc. he can be reached at ed@apexfitness.com
