Employers should care about staff wellbeing / photo: Mandarin oriental
The spa and wellness industry will be forever changed by Covid, but not necessarily in the way that any of us predicted. Little did we know that the biggest challenge to our industry would be in convincing our employees to return, and not our customers.
Some of the industry change is to be expected. We have had to elevate our health and hygiene systems and procedures to new levels, while striving to instill trust in our clients to entice them to return to our businesses. We have had to adopt new technologies to streamline interactions and reduce unnecessary contact.
But surprisingly, the most important skill for businesses in the new era is compassionate leadership. During the last two years, careers have been jeopardised, earnings slashed and working hours drastically reduced. Employees have had no choice but to consider other alternatives. Many found new ways of making a living. They’ve explored long-repressed entrepreneurial ambitions and they have reprioritised and reconsidered the kind of lifestyle they would like to have. For many, they are not willing to return to the worklife they had prior to the virus.
Show compassion The worker of today has a new expectation for what they demand from an employer. People want to work for companies which empower and enable them to also live their best lives. They expect an employer to authentically care for their wellbeing, respect their time off, their needs to support their family, and their personal ambitions.
What the industry needs now are compassionate leaders. Those who not only create a compelling vision for their own business, but also hold sacred the personal desires and aspirations of every member of their team. The compassionate leader strives to find solutions to business challenges without compromising on workplace wellbeing. The compassionate leader creates work that is fulfilling and rewarding. When customers come back to spas, the compassionate leader will have a team of passionate wellness experts that is ready to serve. Compassionate leadership is one of the most difficult skills to teach, but I think it will be the defining factor for success in the years ahead.
About the author:
Jeremy McCarthy is group director of spa at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, prior to which he was director of global spa development and operations at Starwood Hotels and Resorts and spa director at La Costa Resort and Spa and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
The industry needs compassionate leadership to attract and retain staff / photo: Mandarin Oriental
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Employers should care about staff wellbeing / photo: Mandarin oriental
The spa and wellness industry will be forever changed by Covid, but not necessarily in the way that any of us predicted. Little did we know that the biggest challenge to our industry would be in convincing our employees to return, and not our customers.
Some of the industry change is to be expected. We have had to elevate our health and hygiene systems and procedures to new levels, while striving to instill trust in our clients to entice them to return to our businesses. We have had to adopt new technologies to streamline interactions and reduce unnecessary contact.
But surprisingly, the most important skill for businesses in the new era is compassionate leadership. During the last two years, careers have been jeopardised, earnings slashed and working hours drastically reduced. Employees have had no choice but to consider other alternatives. Many found new ways of making a living. They’ve explored long-repressed entrepreneurial ambitions and they have reprioritised and reconsidered the kind of lifestyle they would like to have. For many, they are not willing to return to the worklife they had prior to the virus.
Show compassion The worker of today has a new expectation for what they demand from an employer. People want to work for companies which empower and enable them to also live their best lives. They expect an employer to authentically care for their wellbeing, respect their time off, their needs to support their family, and their personal ambitions.
What the industry needs now are compassionate leaders. Those who not only create a compelling vision for their own business, but also hold sacred the personal desires and aspirations of every member of their team. The compassionate leader strives to find solutions to business challenges without compromising on workplace wellbeing. The compassionate leader creates work that is fulfilling and rewarding. When customers come back to spas, the compassionate leader will have a team of passionate wellness experts that is ready to serve. Compassionate leadership is one of the most difficult skills to teach, but I think it will be the defining factor for success in the years ahead.
About the author:
Jeremy McCarthy is group director of spa at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, prior to which he was director of global spa development and operations at Starwood Hotels and Resorts and spa director at La Costa Resort and Spa and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
The industry needs compassionate leadership to attract and retain staff / photo: Mandarin Oriental
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
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Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
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Crunch Fitness has announced the launch of Crunch Reform Pilates – its own reformer concept
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The 20th State of the Industry Report reveals a resilient, expanding and competitive
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Nuffield Health has told HCM that it takes its responsibilities towards its colleagues seriously
and is committed to meeting all legal obligations after news of a tribunal has made national
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Technogym has announced the launch of the Run X World Treadmill Championship, the first
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CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an
on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right
client in under 10 seconds. [more...]
Elevate is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in style this June, with organisers
confirming the event’s largest-ever drinks reception as registrations continue to run more
than 10% ahead of last year. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Safe Space Lockers We provide a full turn-key solution for clients from design and consultation, through to bespoke man [more...]
