LEAD THROUGH CHANGE
For leaders, the act of naming your resistance is liberating. It opens the door to vulnerability, honesty and growth. Encourage your team to do the same, and take it a step further— ask for help. Let others step in. Seek counsel. This is a powerful leadership practice, not a weakness.
Practice tip: l
Create a culture where it’ s okay to say, I’ m struggling with this change.
3. CELEBRATE THE JOURNEY SO FAR Before rushing to adapt, pause. Acknowledge what has already been achieved.
In times of upheaval, morale and confidence can take a hit. But when leaders highlight past accomplishments, it creates a stabilizing sense of continuity and competence. Whether it’ s a successful season, a team milestone or a long-term staff member’ s growth— recognize the effort that has led to now. Sometimes just staying afloat in times of stress and setback is reason enough to celebrate.
Action step: l
“ Help your team remember why they chose this path:
TO HEAL, TO SERVE, TO INSPIRE WELL-BEING.”
Hold a short meeting,“ party” or group ritual that honors the road traveled and accomplishments to be proud of before diving into new directions.
Leadership challenge: l Increase your communication touch points during periods of change. Even a five-minute regular morning huddle for a limited time can transform your team’ s sense of security.
5. REMEMBER THE CHANGELESS In all the noise of transition, don’ t lose sight of what endures and inspires.
Every spa, every team, every company has a set of values, visions or intentions that remain firm despite the shifts in strategy, staffing or scheduling. These can serve as anchors and orientation points— especially when things feel uncertain.
Help your team remember why they chose this path: to heal, to serve, to inspire well-being.
Guiding question: l What remains true no matter what changes? Let that guide your tone, your actions and your decisions. n
LEAD THROUGH CHANGE
CHANGE DOESN’ T NEED TO BE A SETBACK. With the right inner posture and practices, it becomes a passage into greater strength, clarity and leadership presence. For spa professionals committed to authentic service and soulful impact, learning to lead through change isn’ t just essential— it’ s sacred. Let the process shape you. Let it grow your team. And above all, let it orient you back on what matters most.
4. GROW TRUST IN TIMES OF TRIAL When the future is unclear, transparency and frequent communication are essential.
As a leader, your willingness to be vulnerable— to say, I don’ t have all the answers— builds trust. So does consistency. By checking in more often, by inviting questions, by listening more than speaking, you create a container of safety.
Paradoxically, change can be the very thing that strengthens the bonds within your team and elevates your leadership if you allow honesty and connection to take the lead.
DR. JONATHAN ELLERBY provides custom support and leadership programs to facilitate balancing accountability with the powerful tools of emotional intelligence, psychological safety, mindfulness and well-being. | jonathanellerby. com
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