Embracing Dual Roles In The Workplace

It's been a whirlwind month of teaching and travel. Now that the dust has settled, and despite the lingering jet lag, I feel compelled to share my perspective regarding the roles we take on as beauty professionals throughout our careers. The ability to transition between them is something I have always done in my career, continuously vacillating between being a cosmetologist, teacher, consultant, facilitator, and, more recently, student. Wherever you are on your path, there will be moments when others will look to you for guidance and direction, and moments when you’ll need to step back into the role of student to continue to learn and grow. Such has been the case for me these past few months. Apart from the cuts and highlights I’ve been giving family and friends (in my kitchen!) over the years, I haven’t been behind the chair in a while. So, in preparation for unveiling our newest cutting technique, the CURL CUTTING CLOCK, I became a student, and proceeded to cut numerous mannequin heads with different textures. I was also able to practice the technique on some brave humans who have always trusted my work over the years. I needed to ensure mathematical accuracy and customization options and the only way to achieve this was through rigorous testing such as this. The goal was to replicate the outcomes of various shapes on various textures. I needed to be certain the technique to be proven and transferrable. It felt so empowering and rewarding to be a student again- to challenge my current level of technical expertise before quickly transitioning back into the role of facilitator was truly a gift.

Whether you practice on mannequin heads or live clients, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the years is how repetitive practice helps to develop brain-to-muscle memory. Needless to say, the symposium was a success. The aspiring educators not only embraced the new technique, but left the symposium with new and proven tool to incorporate into their work back at the salon be shared with fellow beauty pros.

To sum it up, bringing your A-Game requires dedication, curiosity, and repetitive practice. Whether preparing educators to teach, elevating skills or onboarding new employees, if you want a successful outcome, you’ll need to learn how to model the behavior you wish for others to follow. The only way to achieve that is to be a student first.

Today’s featured article explores this mindset as it relates to the salon onboarding process. New hires will benefit from following your lead when you can model the behavior of both student and teacher, which in my opinion is crucial to building and maintaining the foundation for a successful business.

READ ON!

Investing in the value of onboarding and mentoring is crucial to your SALON team.

Joining a salon is like stepping into a world where creativity knows no bounds. Helping new salon members navigate their way into the heart of the creative process should be at the forefront of your onboarding strategy. However, for new team members, this journey can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. The onboarding process plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth transition and setting the stage for success. Expectations of the new hire should be presented from Day One, to offer a deeper understanding of the position.  By prioritizing communication, collaboration, and meaningful support, you will create an environment where every new hire begins their design journey with confidence and enthusiasm

Here are my strategies for successful onboarding!

📝 1. Preparing for the Journey

It is your responsibility to lay the groundwork for a seamless onboarding experience for your new hire.

✅ On the first day, I suggest a hosted Orientation Session, where our newest member meets the salon team.  Hosting a structured meeting will allow you to “paint the picture” of your salon’s values and allow each team member a chance to share information about their role and responsibilities. I also suggest assigning a mentor (or buddy) to guide them through their initial days to fosters a sense of belonging and support. Have a team member give them a tour of the space, to familiarize them with the layout, helping them feel at ease. 

✅ Start with a Welcome Package.

Provide them with a comprehensive road map. Here they will find essential documents, salon mission statement, and perhaps a glimpse into ongoing discussions to get them up to speed on the current salon workflow, culture and expectations.

✅ Workspace Setup is key.  

Make sure that the new team member's workstation is fully equipped with the necessary tools, sets the stage for productivity from day one.

📝 2.Nurturing TalenT

I am a big believer in investing in your team.  I have been mentoring new hires for over twenty-five years, investing in their professional growth and development. It is your job to provide both feedback and coaching.  In the first half year, a monthly check in and consistent mentoring will help them identify areas for improvement, amplify their skill sets, and navigate challenges more effectively. 

To do this – you will need to provide:

✅ On-the-Job Training:

Pairing new hires with experienced salon members allows them to learn from real-world relationships behind the chair, observe the hands-on experience between a sty;ist and their client, and understand the salon’s process.

✅ Opportunities for skill development through workshops, online courses, and industry events, which gives them the ability to be current with the latest trends and techniques in our industry of beauty pros. For a more structured approach, brainstorming sessions, or design workshops, having the team attend an education event together. This can create opportunities for new team members to bond with colleagues and build relationships. 

✅ Recognition and rewards: Acknowledging and celebrating the achievements and contributions of new team members through praise, awards, or promotions reinforces their sense of belonging and motivation. 

The onboarding process doesn't end after the first week or month—it's an ongoing journey, providing continuous support.  As the journey progresses, having regularly scheduled check-in meetings to assess progress, address concerns, and provide guidance ensures that new salon members feel supported and valued. Try to involve new team members in fun, out of the box activities as well. We have also had holiday parties and team strengthening activities where we all are together to celebrate success while also sharing an experience.

HOT TIP

It's all about staying agile and adaptable.

With your distinct skill set, and as your salon grows, it becomes critical to discern between various roles and tactics that can propel your business forward.

I was introduced to Rocket Fuel, a book by Gino Wickman and Mark C Winters.  The book discusses the roles of the Visionary and the Integrator and how the “power of two” can change your business world. Disney, McDonalds and Ford have all worked in this partnership and it could absolutely be the key to growing your business exponentially. 

Integrators are the backbone of operational excellence

📝 The integrator is your strategic partner in crime, streamlining your workflow, systems, processes, and ultimately, boosting your bottom line. They're the detail-oriented professionals, gurus who breathe life into your visionary ideas, turning them into actionable strategies, allowing you to be the connector and work your magic. 

📝 Visionaries are crucial for guiding the organization towards a successful and innovative future. A visionary leader is someone who can see the big picture, anticipate future trends, and inspire others to work towards a shared goal. Here are the key roles and responsibilities of a visionary in the workplace. They set the vision, inspire and motivate in a way that is engaging and meaningful and help employees see how their individual roles contribute to the bigger picture. While others may focus on immediate tasks and goals, visionaries keep their eyes on long-term objectives, ensuring that the organization is moving in the right direction.

We just cant do it all by ourselves. Understanding the strengths of each role is key to moving the needle and guiding your firm towards sustainable growth and success.

If you want to learn more about the roles of Visionaries and Integrators, click HERE to read Rocket Fuel, by Gino Wickman and Mark C Winters.

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At House Of Harbinger, we’ll give you the tools to help you empower your workplace and team. It all begins with the online program, The Beauty School Sequel. All of the lessons inside help you set goals, create a clear plan of action and uphold the values that will help you and your team reach your fullest business potential.

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