The Myth of “The Perfect Leader”

Originally published in The Stylist Newspapers.

The topic this month, highlighted on my editorial calendar, reads, “The Perfect Salon Leader.” I considered how I could craft an article, outlining the traits that I would use to create the “perfect” leader, but the truth is that “the perfect leader” is a myth, and to perpetuate it by putting forth an arbitrary list of generic traits, expecting mere mortals to attempt to become that unrealistic model of flawlessness would be wrong and unfair.

A big part of my job as a salon management consultant is explaining to anxious, stressed out salon owners that perfection is an unattainable state. In reality, the best anyone can aspire to be is an effective leader—someone who can rally others to work together, provide encouragement, communicate well, and help others achieve their goals. Instead of urging you to “do your best,” I’m going to share the traits of effective leaders who do what needs to be done.

Effective leaders don’t lead (or seem as if they’re not leading). Instead of directing others, help your team realize solutions themselves. This “invisible hand leadership” builds confidence and greatly boosts morale. You can help facilitate this by asking your team questions and letting them reach their own conclusions. Some of their conclusions may surprise you and provide you with a better option!

Effective leaders are great communicators. A great communicator isn’t someone who can talk excessively—it’s someone who can listen intently, who speaks with purpose, and who ensures that everyone on their team is informed. Hold one-on-ones with your team and solicit feedback. Keep your ears open and be sure to keep everyone involved in the loop!

Effective leaders are attuned and responsive to the team’s needs. What do your team members value? What areas do they struggle in and how can you help them in those areas? Leadership becomes easier when you’re perceptive to what each individual requires from you. You learn these things by watching, listening, and constantly assessing.

Effective leaders have open minds. Stupid questions and crazy theories don’t exist. All are welcome and deserve to be entertained. Nurture your team’s creativity. Allowing a group to explore their ideas in a judgment-free environment is how revolutionary innovations are discovered.

Effective leaders don’t have all the answers and are completely fine with that. A confident leader doesn’t let their pride block their progress. When necessary, they can sit back, shrug, and say, “I don’t know. Let’s toss some ideas around and see what solutions we can come up with together.” Too often, salon owners tell me they feel as if they’re failing their staff and their business when they don’t have all the answers. Don’t beat yourself up in a similar way or be tempted to make uninformed decisions. Letting your pride compromise your integrity will often lead to failure—and failure will cost you the trust of your team.

Effective leaders don’t keep score. A great leader measures success in terms of the team’s overall experience. Knowledge is valued over performance. The team may not have hit their goal or accomplished their purpose, but if they’ve learned and grown as professionals from the experience, the effective leader sees it as a success.

Effective leaders can generate enthusiasm. Motivation is directly tied to morale. Good morale stems from fostering enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the fuel that keeps a team moving forward toward their goal. Effective leaders have the ability to uplift their team and keep them excited about what they’re doing. This can be accomplished by reminding the team how far they’ve come, how much they’ve grown, and how much of a positive impact their contributions have made.

Effective leaders know they aren’t perfect and don’t waste time and energy trying to be. Great leaders move relentlessly toward achievement, but know that perfection isn’t reasonable. The only time they compare themselves to the mythical “Perfect Leader,” is to measure their achievements—not count their shortcomings.

Effective leaders embrace the struggle. Every leader faces difficulties and makes mistakes. Instead of seeing these trials as a sign of weakness or incompetence, effective leaders see them as learning opportunities. Instead of wilting under their failures, they grow, evolve, and come out stronger for it. Accomplishing this requires adopting a growth mindset. Approach failures with a positive attitude. “What can we learn from this and how can we utilize these lessons to keep this from occurring in the future?”

Whether you’re a salon owner or manager, leadership of any kind can be difficult, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. By accepting that perfection is a myth and resolving to instead be the most effective leader you’re capable of being, you can make the process of leading much more enjoyable and far less stressful.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Need help? Let's talk.

Schedule an appointment to meet and discuss your goals and challenges.

Latest

A Brush with the Law: The Debate Over Cosmetology Licensing

Uncover how targeted certifications can break barriers for aspiring salon professionals, streamlining their path to entrepreneurship without the need for extensive, irrelevant training. This article sheds light on the impact of these licenses on the beauty sector, offering key insights for those aspiring to join the professional beauty industry.

Do booth or suite renters have to accept the salon owner’s gift certificates?

Is your salon landlord being a Grinch this holiday season?

Your Day in Court: How to Behave in Front of a Judge

Essential tips for maintaining proper decorum in a courtroom. How to dress, behave, and communicate, as well as the importance of respect and professionalism to make a positive impression on the judge. Invaluable guidance for anyone in the beauty industry or elsewhere who finds themselves in a legal setting.

Help! My booth renters aren’t paying their rent!

What can you do when your booth renters are behind on payments and you don't have a written lease?

Popular

Know Your Rights in the Salon: Employee, Independent Contractor, Booth Renter

Do you know what your rights are as a...

Exploitation Exposed: 8 Shameless Salon Practices That Aren’t Legal

The legal misconceptions prevalent among salon owners. Learn about the Fair Labor Standards Act, employee rights, and the legality of certain common practices in the beauty industry. This article is a must-read for salon owners and professionals aiming to navigate the complexities of employment law, ensuring their practices align with legal standards.

How to Inform Your Clients that You’re Moving to a New Business

Alright, so you were a good person and you...

Why Favors Don’t Pay and Clients Can’t Be “Friends”

"Never work for free!" I say it a lot. I...

Wage Deductions: Salon Owners Charging Employees For Product

"Is it legal for my boss to take product...

Management

A Brush with the Law: The Debate Over Cosmetology Licensing

Uncover how targeted certifications can break barriers for aspiring salon professionals, streamlining their path to entrepreneurship without the need for extensive, irrelevant training. This article sheds light on the impact of these licenses on the beauty sector, offering key insights for those aspiring to join the professional beauty industry.

Do booth or suite renters have to accept the salon owner’s gift certificates?

Is your salon landlord being a Grinch this holiday season?

Your Day in Court: How to Behave in Front of a Judge

Essential tips for maintaining proper decorum in a courtroom. How to dress, behave, and communicate, as well as the importance of respect and professionalism to make a positive impression on the judge. Invaluable guidance for anyone in the beauty industry or elsewhere who finds themselves in a legal setting.

Help! My booth renters aren’t paying their rent!

What can you do when your booth renters are behind on payments and you don't have a written lease?

The Salon Owner’s and Booth Renter’s Guide to Avoiding an IRS Audit

Critical strategies for salon professionals to minimize the risk of an IRS audit. Essential practices such as: proper expense documentation, embracing digital transactions over cash, and ensuring accurate tax filings. Maintaining financial integrity and compliance within the beauty industry.
Tina Alberino
Tina Alberinohttps://thisuglybeautybusiness.com
Beauty industry survivalist, salon crisis interventionist, tactical verb-weapon specialist, and the leader of at least a hundred workplace revolutions, Tina Alberino is known as much for her extensive knowledge as for her sarcastic wit and mercilessly straightforward style. She’s the author of The Beauty Industry Survival Guide and Salon Ownership and Management: A Definitive Guide to the Professional Beauty Business. When she’s not writing, educating, or consulting, she can be found overthinking everything, identifying problems people didn’t know existed, and stubbornly working to change the things she cannot accept.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here
Captcha verification failed!
CAPTCHA user score failed. Please contact us!

Mental Organization: Lists, Calendars, and Looking to the Future

Ambitious professionals and salon owners often have difficulty finding enough hours in the day to hit their goals and accomplish all the tasks they feel they need to accomplish. Where does the time go? How can it be better spent? What systems can you implement to keep yourself focused and ensure you’re being as productive as possible?

Money Management: How to Simplify Your Finances

Before you read this, I recommend reading this Community post about the Profit First strategy, and why I wholeheartedly do not recommend it for...

The Tempting Illusion of “Guaranteed Success”

Everywhere you look, coaches, consultants, motivational speakers, and educators in our industry are peddling the lie that anyone can be successful... ...if you buy their...
0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop