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“The energy of a fresh approach
helped us elevate our service.”
— Chris Bird
Director of Operations, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa
Farmington, Pennsylvania
Developing New Leaders
Not only did the partnership between Kolb and Nemacolin
Woodlands Resort & Spa improve spa processes and practices,
it also promoted leadership growth and sustainability for the
spa industry by taking a new leader and providing her the tools
she needed to be successful. “I am so thankful to Chris Bird,
Managing Director Monte Hansen and owner Maggie Hardy
Magerko as they chose to invest in me rather than searching for
a more experienced outsider to bring in. They saw potential in
me and chose to invest in that by bringing Jean in. Jean has also
inspired me to become more involved with ISPA and the
industry overall, which I see is extremely beneficial for career
growth and education.”
Kolb agrees with Hatcher’s sentiments, saying: “I cannot
think of a greater need in the spa industry for the long-term
sustainability of our businesses. If we do not have strong
leaders with a high business and leadership acumen, we will
not have profitable businesses. The spa industry does not have
an excess of seasoned leaders. We must grow them organically
by identifying leaders within other areas of hospitality or within
the spa therapist teams.”
Kolb continues: “At this point in my career, I feel an
obligation to give back to an industry that has been so good to
me. I am sure there are others who want to share their
knowledge as well. It is rewarding to work with someone and
watch them blossom into an incredibly strong and successful
leader. They are our future. We owe it to them to invest wisely.
Our leaders of today and tomorrow are our most valuable asset.
It gives me goosebumps thinking about all the potential we
have…together!” n
Should You
Hire a Coach?
It doesn’t matter the size of the spa or the amount of
resources, there are always opportunities to improve
and ways to achieve the goals within a specific
budget. “Coaching opportunities are customized for
the needs of the business. This includes taking into
consideration what one can spend for an outside
professional service,” Kolb says. “When one
considers what the cost of recruiting and training a
new executive is versus the investment of a coach to
ensure an employee’s success, the long-term return
on the investment of our most valuable resource, our
people, is high. Just like any other service, you must
get your money’s worth. Do your homework when
hiring a leadership coach to ensure their message of
leadership is consistent with your organization.”
May 2017
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