Laura's Laws of Leadership - Plus One of My Own

Laura Goodin - photo: Michael Salerno

As I start to assemble a Playfully Fit team, I find myself thinking about my friend Laura's "laws of leadership" and how I can incorporate them in building a foundation for a thriving team environment

Laura has been a friend of mine for almost 20 years. In addition to her current leadership roles as producer, director and mom, Laura has taught self-defense and martial arts to people of all ages and spent over a decade as an emergency-management professional, leading, training, and managing a corps of paid and volunteer media officers and participating in the development of state- and national-level emergency-management policy.

1. Feed 'em. Whatever that means. 

You have to "feed" your team what will give them sustenance, energy and encouragement as a whole while also "feeding" each person's unique motivational needs. You need to know your team members and provide the best support you can to help them be successful. One of the greatest tools I have begun to use in this regard is Process Communication or PCM. For more on this, visit my friends at Next Element Consulting.

Laura pointed out that "feed 'em" also often literally means "Give them something to eat." It's amazing how clearly that will communicate to your people that you care about their welfare. I can attest to the impact of such a seemingly simple gesture. Years ago when I was working at an outdoor adventure school, we were unpacking in the cold rain from a large expedition. Our manager came out of his warm, dry office, started up a portable stove, and made hot chocolate for us all. This simple gesture not only strengthened the loyalty I already felt; it also gained him about 4 more hours work from each one of us.

2. Make their success more important than your own. 

I think this is perhaps the most important leadership rule I know. As a leader, my goal is and always has been to help my participants, team members and clients shine! It is not important that I am out ahead getting the spotlight - unless that is necessary for a particular purpose. What is most important is that each person on my team is doing what they do best and challenging themselves to grow in areas where they need further development.

3. Lead by example (this one's from me). 

If you want your team to excel, show them how to do it. You may not be performing the same functions as others on your team (that's why you have a team!), but you must show the same energy, spirit, enthusiasm,  talent and commitment to what you are doing.

You also have to model good self-care. Working on a high-functioning team is exhilerating but also tiring. Model good work-life balance and encourage your team-mates to take care of themselves. Practice what you preach, as they say. Especially in the fitness industry, we need to walk our talk!

I have been fortunate to have worked with a number of fabulous leaders over the years. I have been "well-fed" both literally and figuratively! I hope to use that sustenance to create something beautiful for a brand new team!