It takes a whole lot to run a business. Dance teachers, office staff, and support team members are all vital to the everyday operations and long-term success of a dance studio. Whether it be a studio or a boutique, we think it’s important to make sure that staff members feel appreciated, acknowledged, and fulfilled. We’ll dive into the benefits we’ve seen at our own store as well as heard from your fellow SWP members below.
Team Spirit
Letting someone know that they’ve done a good job really helps lift their spirits. A happy team member is far less likely to get into conflicts than a member who feels unappreciated. Furthermore, a cohesive team generally gets more work done in a shorter period of time, and usually at a higher quality which is a plus for everyone. Here at Inspirations we like to throw a pizza party every month which gives us a chance to unwind, chat, and release any stress we may have been holding on to. It really helps reinforce the dynamic of our relationships - we don’t just work alongside one another, we genuinely care about each other.
Setting an Example
Us adults often think we’re fantastic at keeping things hidden from kids, but in all honesty, children can be quite perceptive when it comes to emotions and relationships. If two teachers are having a spat, dancers can usually sense the tension pretty quickly. Using positive reinforcement to encourage and uplift staff members helps everyone set a great example of teamwork and responsibility that will inspire the students to follow suit.
Understanding the Value of a Great Staff
It’s important to keep in mind that the hours of a dance teacher are far from a simple 9:00-5:00. Finding someone who’s willing to sacrifice their evenings and weekends can be rare, just like finding someone who’s great at teaching the art of dance. So discovering someone who falls into both categories is something to be celebrated.
Ways to Show Your Appreciation
Being organized is a simple, yet effective way to show that you respect your staff. When you show that you care about the business, you show that you care about the people who help you run it. Outlining responsibilities and expectations in a clear, friendly way is one way of doing this (which also helps your entire business run more smoothly). Ensuring that staff members have adequate time off (and treating it in an easy, professional way,) also lets them know they’re appreciated. Kind comments and compliments go a long way (if they’re genuine!). Next time you’d like to offer a correction to a staff member, also mention something you like about the way they operate. Every few months, take your staff out to dinner or to see a show - bonding experiences like this can go a long way in solidifying relationships between staff.
Ultimately, it’s your business to run, and you should absolutely run it in a way that works best for you. We wanted to share some of what we’ve learned from working with our amazing team as well as hearing feedback from your co-members of the Program. We know that working at a dance studio is more than just a job, it’s a second home and an extension of your family, so we wanted to pass along some of our favourite things that we have done to strengthen and grow our team as a whole.