Do you have a hidden team within your salon team? Could your salon stylists, receptionists, managers, and juniors all work together in harmony to build a salon where all your employees thrive and become part of your salon success?
The most-engaged employees work together in ways businesses don’t even realize.
For example, some major big companies have realized now the power of the millennial mind and they actually employ young talents to mentor the older ones and vice versa. This creates a greater impact to grow your salon business. It also makes everyone feel engaged, valued, and responsible.
Here are 7 Steps you can follow to create more opportunities by letting your stylists and team members step up and shine:
1. Is anyone in your team particularly good with clients? Identify Individual Strengths
Every stylist, salon receptionist, and team member brings something unique to the table. One may be brilliant at building client relationships and columns, while another excels in creative problem-solving. Take the time to identify these individual strengths. Use this information to match tasks or projects that will allow them to showcase and refine these skills.
Example: If your junior is particularly good at social media, encourage them to take the lead on promoting your salon’s latest service on Instagram or TikTok. Not only will this give them a sense of ownership, but it can also help broaden your salon’s online presence.
2. Delegate Responsibility, Not Just Tasks
Show that you trust. Avoid salon owners make of delegating tasks instead of responsibilities. Delegating tasks often leads to micromanagement, while delegating responsibilities allows your team members to take full ownership of a project. This fosters accountability and personal growth, as employees feel they are trusted to handle important aspects of the business.
Example: If one of your team members is passionate about customer service, let them manage customer relations or oversee training for new hires. Trusting them with these responsibilities empowers them to innovate and improve client experiences, which benefits your salon’s reputation.
3. Encourage Leadership in Everyday Roles
Leadership doesn’t always mean managing a team. It can also mean being a problem-solver, a mentor to peers, or an expert in a particular service. Encourage your staff to take on leadership roles within their areas of expertise, even if they aren’t in management positions.
Example: If you notice a stylist is particularly skilled in hair coloring techniques, encourage them to lead a workshop for the team. Not only does this position them as an expert, but it also builds camaraderie and upskills the rest of your staff.
4. Provide Opportunities for Growth
Investing in your employees’ growth through training, can be a game-changer for your salon. When employees see that you are committed to their long-term success, they feel valued and are more likely to step up and take initiative. Offering continuous learning opportunities also ensures that your salon stays ahead of industry trends.
Example: Sponsor advanced training sessions for your staff in trending techniques such as balayage or eyebrow lamination. This not only enhances their skills but also expands the range of services your salon can offer, attracting more clients.
5. Celebrate Achievements, Big and Small
Recognition goes a long way in encouraging employees to continue stepping up. Whether it’s publicly acknowledging a stylist’s role in boosting sales or giving a shout-out to someone who provided an exceptional client experience, celebrating these wins builds confidence and morale. It also sends a clear message to the rest of the team that hard work and initiative are valued.
Example: Set up a “Stylist of the Month” award to highlight outstanding contributions, or simply acknowledge daily wins, like a team member going the extra mile to satisfy a client.
6. Foster a Collaborative Culture
Creating a collaborative environment allows your team to brainstorm ideas and solve challenges together. Open communication encourages employees to voice their thoughts, share new ideas, and offer solutions to business problems. This helps develop a sense of shared responsibility and empowers team members to step into leadership roles naturally.
Example: Hold regular team meetings where everyone is encouraged to bring ideas for improving services, marketing strategies, or salon operations. Allowing your employees to take the lead in these discussions will boost their confidence and involvement in the business.
7. Promote from Within
When you create a culture where employees are empowered to step up, they naturally begin to excel in their roles. A powerful way to maintain this momentum is to promote from within. By rewarding initiative and leadership with promotions, you motivate other team members to follow suit, knowing that their hard work and dedication will pay off.
Example: If an assistant manager has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and problem-solving skills, consider promoting them to a managerial role instead of hiring externally. This shows your team that growth within the company is possible, inspiring them to keep pushing their limits.
When your team shines, so does your salon. So, start looking for ways to let them step up—because success is a team effort.
Next time you are reviewing your team role don’t overlook the obvious talent, instead create more opportunities by giving your employees an opportunity to shine and step up.
For more information on staff, management, hiring, and firing visit our dedicated blog and podcasts section.
There is a dedicated chapter on recruitment and staff management in our big Salon Extreme 21 manual. ORDER HERE
Have a great day
Tamara from Salon Punk