“... having conversations with each individual person on your team to explore what they need is critical .”
— MIKE TONSFELDT , THE EDGEWATER SPA
end of the day , the ownership to take care of ourselves belongs with ourselves , ” said Hawthorne .“ When people are feeling uncomfortable with a co-worker ’ s or guest ’ s behavior or something going on in the workplace , I encourage people to talk to people directly . To quietly and intentionally speak up and be direct about it .”
Get Flexible
For spa leaders , supporting their own mental well-being and that of their spa ’ s guests are just a part of the big picture as the industry continues to recover from the effects of the last year . Mike Tonsfeldt also stressed the need for resourcefulness and flexibility in supporting fellow team members who may be having struggles in performing their job . “ It ’ s a different world now as an employer , and it is hard to hold the line with the amount of flexibility that we need to show our staff while keeping the business in mind .”
Tonsfeldt explained that having conversations with each individual person on your team to explore what they need is critical . Do they need more flexibility in scheduling ? Do they need additional support from area non-profits ? Do they have a social support network ? How can our work teams help support each other ? Asking questions like these can put leaders in a position to make targeted , informed decisions about how best to manage their teams and ensure that employees feel seen and heard in their workplace .
Employers who are intentional in creating flexible cultures that support healing environments for both employees and customers will have a leading edge in this extremely competitive labor market . Providing this kind of flexibility and support may not look the same for every spa leader , depending on the size and scope of their operation . As Tonsfeldt explained , “ Knowing your resources is important . I ’ ve worked in very , very large organizations that have
their own internal resources and support networks . If you ’ re a smaller organization you may need to go outside .” He suggested providing access to an Employee Assistance Program ( EAP ) or help team members tap into support networks if they need help . These networks may include family services , legal services , friends , family , clergy members and help hotlines . Building a bridge to these resources before you need them is important so you can help connect your colleagues to them in times of need .
I learned something useful from each of our panelists , but my favorite takeaway may have come from Debbie Fuehrer . In discussing how our thoughts can influence our health , Fuehrer shared a tip .“ If you laugh twice today you boost your immune system for twelve hours !”
So , even though the last year hasn ’ t been a laughing matter , perhaps we can apply the old adage “ Laughter is the best medicine ,” going forward and use these experts ’ tips to find healthy ways to bring laughter and joy back into our workplaces . ■
KRISTINE HUFFMAN has more than 30 years of experience in hospitality and human services , including providing leadership , staff training , program development and brand direction for the award-winning Canyon Ranch , Miraval , and Travaasa Resorts . As a member of the ISPA Board , she acts as a strategic thought-leader and mentor for individuals seeking to expand programming into the wellness arena .
52 PULSE ■ AUGUST 2021