In times of crises, strong leadership is of the utmost importance.
In episode #09 of the Club Solutions Magazine podcast, host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko spoke with Marvin Gresse, the assistant general manager of Stone Creek Club & Spa, on leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss how the brand stayed in touch with employees throughout the club’s shutdown, strategies for bringing staff back, and the importance of sensitivity training and leadership during this time.
Show Notes
- Gresse explained the biggest challenge of the shutdown was the unknown — not knowing when the club would reopen, etc. “No one has been through this before,” he said.
- Gresse shares how Stone Creek stayed in touch with staff throughout the shutdown to ensure employees didn’t become unmoored from the organization.
- Ultimately, simply calling staff individually was a great strategy for making employees feel connected to the organization. The management team also posted a weekly update to the team FB group to answer FAQs, share the latest info, etc.
- Gresse shares the strategies Stone Creek used to bring back its staff, including the important role of managers, checklists, resetting expectations, etc. “They all embraced it for everyone’s health and safety … If we’re going to open and be successful in our opening, we’re going to do it and we’re going to do it right,” he said.
- Gresse shares tips and strategies for enforcing guidelines and policies with members. Stone Creek has asked managers to spend much more time on the floor to help enforce guidelines, ensure safety, help problem solve, etc. “Safety is paramount,” he said.
- Gresse highlights the important role of leadership during this time. “This pandemic impacted everyone differently.” As a result, Gresse discusses the importance of sensitivity training and talking to staff about being sensitive/emphatic to each person’s situation.
- “Be involved,” said Gresse. He discusses the importance of becoming involved with local and state leadership, and rallying your teams around this as well. You never know whom on your team has a connection that could be helpful.
- Gresse shares Stone Creek’s “TAKE CARE” principle, and how that was leaned on throughout the pandemic.
- “Be there,” said Gresse. “Be in the moment. Support your team.”
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