Yesterday we talked about the tasks your coaches can be doing during their shift (because “coaching” is not JUST about working with kids!) and how you can shift the culture in your gym to be focused on the mission. You and your staff CAN work as a team. They can take important things off your plate and help you all while building their own leadership skills. But what happens when you do all the things and it still isn’t working out with a staff member. They are frustrated that you hired them to coach, and now you’re asking them to vacuum the floor. How could you?

Well, I love what Dave Ramsey says about potential employees and the three qualities he looks for – so I stole it!

  1. Hungry – All employees in our gym need to be hungry. This means they’re constantly wanting to be better, stronger and more knowledgeable coaches. They’re not only wanting to learn about skills and drills, but they’re open to learning more about how the body and mind works. (Did you catch that second part? Learning how the mind works is JUST as important as learning about the body, and I want a coach who is mature enough to understand that.) My coaches are HUNGRY for more information. 
  2. Humble – My coaches are willing to do whatever it takes to help the gym grow. They understand that they are part of a bigger picture. They aren’t giving tours and holding doors open for families on their way in because it makes them more money! They’re doing it because they understand that is the level of customer service we are committed to providing. They’re willing to clean toilets and coach Senior 4 in the same night because they know that one is not truly more important than the other. They are humble and willing to contribute. This doesn’t mean they never ask, “Why”, but it does mean they understand that every small thing in the gym directly contributes to the success of the gyms itself.
  3. Smart – I do think most people are naturally smart, so don’t get me wrong here. I do, however, think some people choose not to be smart because they don’t want added responsibility…which isn’t smart…or humble…or hungry. I also want someone working for me who loves to learn. People who love to learn aren’t always naturally hungry, but if you can give them the tools (like staff training opportunities and leadership training), they can take your business to the next level. I expect my staff to be smart and have common sense. I can’t be there for every conversation they have with a parent, so when I’m hiring, I have to ask questions that lead me to determine if this person is smart.

If you’re trying to figure out how to hire people who are hungry, humble and smart, look at the questions you’re asking during an interview. Do they lead you to get to know the person and make those determinations, or are you actually learning what skills they can spot and how well they understand twisting drills? Remember – if you have someone who is hungry enough to research, humble enough to learn from peers, and smart enough to understand basic body kinetics, you will have an employee with some pretty great potential.