“ I learned to always take on things I ’ d never done before . Growth and comfort do not coexist .”
— GINNI ROMETTY , Chairman , President and CEO of IBM
MIRANDA HENNING , Assistant Spa Director , Woodlands Spa at Nemacolin Woods Resort , Farmington , Pennsylvania
Most of the time , getting out of your comfort zone is the best thing for you . You can ’ t grow from complacency . For Miranda Henning , that meant getting out of her small Pennsylvania town and jumping head first into the spa industry . She packed up and moved to Miami with her best friend , whose family was entrenched in the industry . They took her under their wing and taught her the basics , giving her the foundation she needed to be able to flourish .
After working in guest services at both a country club and a hotel in South Florida , Henning decided to move back home . “ Fortunately , I have a gem of a resort basically in my backyard , Nemacolin Woodlands Resort ,” says Henning . She was hired by The Woodlands Spa at Nemacolin as a guest services attendant in 2006 .
“ I spent the next two years observing as much as possible about the operation , specifically leadership styles and group sales . Our group planner at the time became my mentor . She taught me everything she knew about her role and counted on me as her right hand ,” recalls Henning . Her determination paid off . In 2008 , she accepted the role of guest services supervisor and groups coordinator . Then , in October of 2011 , she was promoted to manager of guest services and groups . In the summer of 2016 , Henning was ultimately promoted to assistant spa director .
“ It was the biggest accomplishment
Woodsy and tranquil , Woodlands Spa at Nemacolin Woods Resort was like returning home for Henning .
of my career thus far ,” Henning says of her promotion . During Nemacolin ’ s interim spa director ’ s maternity leave , the spa brought Jean Kolb , owner of consulting company Jean Kolb Well By Choice , on board to run the ship . Hennings credits Kolb ’ s guidance as a propeller for her career .
“ Jean was motivating and helped me work through my challenges with a strong sense of urgency and professionalism . By the end of Jean ’ s tenure with us , our interim director assumed the role of director of spa and wellness and I moved into the assistant director role ,” says Henning . “ I felt very honored to have been recommended for this position by Jean , as we had no prior history or personal relationship established . She only knew me through the work performed over the summer and she trusted that I was qualified and now ready for this role .”
Henning ’ s hard work and dedication have been the building blocks of her career since she was 18 . Touting her parents for instilling her with a strong work ethic , she hopes other leaders in her generation are prepared to work their way to the top . “ I think people of my generation look for shortcuts ; the quickest way to get to the end-result without doing the work in between ,” she notes . Her advice for others looking to follow in her footsteps is along the same line . “ It ’ s important to lose any sense of entitlement you may have and know that the world doesn ’ t owe us anything . Be patient , dedicated , and confident .”
March / April 2017 ■ PULSE 39