Mark Harrington Jr. is the president and CEO of Healthworks Fitness, Republic Fitness, and GymIt. In this video, Harrington Jr. highlights the importance of innovation, customer experience and investing in your company culture. Harrington emphasizes the importance of honest communication, open feedback and employee engagement, including annual incentive trips and enhanced benefits.
Harrington Jr. shared valuable insights on how he cultivates a strong and supportive company culture within his organization. Reflecting on his leadership style, he emphasized the importance of creating an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their concerns and ideas. Harrington Jr. revealed that he’s consciously developed this approach, inspired by mentors and training that taught him to ask direct questions like, “What can I do for you today?” This fosters open communication and ensures that his team knows he’s genuinely interested in supporting them.
His commitment to building culture extends beyond daily interactions. He highlighted the significance of treating team members with care and empathy, and encouraging managers to consider how they would want to be treated in similar situations. This philosophy is reinforced through practices like daily huddles, where communication flows both ways, ensuring that everyone from senior leaders to junior managers is aligned and supported.
In closing, Harrington Jr. noted the challenges posed by external factors like inflation, particularly in urban areas, and the impact on his team’s financial well-being. His organization has taken steps to address these issues, including adjusting pricing to ensure they can continue to support their employees effectively.