I’ve been taking Pilates for about 2 months with this great instructor, Julia. I started thinking about what she does exactly that makes her such an excellent leader and teacher. Here’s my stab at putting it into words…
1) She gives clear instruction.
Julie knows the right words to communicate what she wants us to do. She translates body positioning into verbal instructions that help students connect with what they need to do. As a leader, you want to make sure your staff know exactly what you want them to do.
2) She does not over instruct.
Julia gives us all just the right amount of instruction – enough to engage in the correct postures and movements but not so much that we aren’t given a chance to just do it. Some managers tend to give too much instruction, which ends up confusing their worker.
3) She notices what help you need right when you need it.
I find it amazing that when I’m trying to do a new pose and it isn’t feeling right, Julia will say just one thing like “pull your shoulders back” and it is exactly what is needed for me to be successful. The feedback is immediate rather than after the class when the moment is gone. Ever know a manager who frequently says, “you should have…”
4) She does not take her work, the class, or herself too seriously.
On a Saturday afternoon, the last thing I need is a serious exercise class (I do need exercise though…). I go there with friends and sometimes we find things funny. What’s great is that Julia laughs with us even though she sometimes has no idea what we are laughing about. Her teaching is very relaxed leaving everyone feeling like they can be successful at whatever level they are in the class.
5) She challenges us to do our best knowing everyone’s best is different.
When Julia teaches us poses she gives options based on varying ability. I never feel like I’m cheating myself when I need to bend my knees even though 5 people in the class can do the exercise with straight legs. Julia knows that we are all at varying levels of flexibility, strength, soreness, etc. and that there is a way to have us each challenged based on our unique ability. I see managers expect the same from everyone on the team when the reality is that not everyone has the same strengths and talents.
So I challenge you to develop your own “Julia” like ways when working with your staff and hey, maybe you’ll have them showing up for work on Saturdays…