A SERIES OF 10 LEADERSHIP LESSONS FOR THRIVING SPA TEAMS

5 STRATEGIES FOR SPA LEADERS TO REIGNITE ENGAGEMENT IN TIMES OF SOCIAL STRESS

BY JONATHAN ELLERBY, PH. D.

SPAS ARE WELCOMING and sensory places that hold space for healing. A positive environment and a mission centered on wellness were at the heart of what brought most of us to this work. But lately, many leaders and managers are finding it harder to hold space for their own teams. Staff feel distracted. Fatigued. Overwhelmed by outside pressures— from economic stress to social tension.

THIS IS PART 8 OF A SERIES. Watch for all 10 Leadership Lessons for Thriving Spa Teams from Dr. Jonathan Ellerby.

For younger team members, especially millennials and Gen Z, the feeling of disconnection can run even deeper.

How do we rekindle focus, care, connection and a sense of investment in their work? After more than 25 years in leadership development, counseling psychology and holistic programming, I have found these five strategies both reliable and reasonable to put into action:

1. REIGNITE MEANING THROUGH

MICRO-PURPOSE CONVERSATIONS“ In times of uncertainty, the greatest fuel for focus is present moment meaning.” Clinical psychology shows burnout and disengagement aren’ t just about workload— they’ re about a loss of meaning. Millennials and members of Gen Z are values-driven and purpose-seeking. They want to know what they’ re doing matters in a global context in which systems of meaning often feel like they’ re falling apart.

When connecting with your team about“ micro-purpose,” focus on clear, present moment reflections— real behaviors and emotions they can access in daily work. This isn’ t a philosophy debate.

ACTION: Schedule 10-minute one-on-one“ Purpose Pulse” check-ins. Ask:

l What part of your work makes you feel proud?

PULSE n SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2025 26