Avoiding Meltdowns
Avoiding Meltdowns
By: Tonya Foust Mead
Are meltdowns by your employees, customers and family causing you to lose valuable business opportunities and friendships? Does the occasional meltdown cause you embarrassment and shame? Do you frequently lose the respect of your colleagues as a result? An emotional meltdown is a natural reaction to the ‘flight or fight’ mechanism that we all experience when faced with a life-threatening situation. Unfortunately many haven’t learned to moderate their reaction between the threats to life, a perceived ‘loss of face’ or ‘dissing.’ For the business owner, emotional meltdowns that happen too frequently in the workplace can also burn through the bottom line.
Most Cited Causes of Meltdowns
The primary causes of emotional meltdowns range from divorce, job loss, death, even love affairs gone awry.
For the Day Spa = When Anger Talks Money Walks
When someone full of anger talks, particularly in the workplace, money walks. Like the NASA example shows, when employees don't get along, it can cost a company more than money, according to Nance Guilmartin, the author of Healing Conversations at Work. Workplace personality conflicts can erode someone's self-esteem and force managers to face an awkward situation. Overt, hostile conflict exhibited in a hair and nail salon, day spa or retreat can prove detrimental to the business. Clients looking for services to gratify their needs for self indulgence are in search of a harmonious environment. Relaxation and the need to get away from it all ranks just as high as the satisfaction brought about by a hair re-touch, press and curl, and/or a massage. Yes, salon owner and stylist—meltdowns are costing you money.
Ways to Avoid Meltdowns
Treat everyone fairly- Common reasons for workplace meltdowns are perceptions of unfairness, favoritism, nepotism and poor management. Disgruntled employees and subcontractors do much to increase negativity in the environs.
• Conduct weekly or bi-monthly staff meetings to air and resolve complaints
• Maintain an open-door policy for staff to discuss confidential matters privately
• Resolve to treat everyone fairly
Separate antagonists- Should meltdowns occur between two different stylists, independent contractors renting booths, that appear to be independent of the business operations, as a salon owner, undertake the following strategies to separate the two rivals.
• Stagger appointments
• Schedule different stylists
• Reserve varying bays and booths
• Re-arrange working schedules at alternating shifts
Change the ambience- If meltdowns occur too frequently within your establishment, regardless of client and employee personalities, perhaps loud music, glaring street lights or uncomfortable furnishings are to blame. Additionally, disgruntled employees and subcontractors do much to increase negativity in the environs. Consider reading a Feng Shui book that will offer the following recommendations:
• Install a fish tank
• Situate artificial or real plants near doorways and windows
• Keep work areas clean and clutter-free
Set the tone- Relax your demeanor. If you find that meltdowns still occur after you’ve made solid attempts to separate antagonists and change the working environment, a more comprehensive approach would be for you as the business owner to model the behavior you wish others to emulate.
• Speak in a soft tone by lowering your voice
• Slow down your speech
• Separate the issue from the person
• Set a time to re-address the issue
• Walk away from any situation causing you distress
So the next time a meltdown occurs at your salon, think through these key points. Work to make your salon a place where you look forward to coming to work everyday – and a place where you wouldn’t mind retreating for some well deserved solitude. Your clients and staff will thank you —and your pocketbook will soon fatten—for your efforts.
Dr. Mead, PhD, MBA, MA www.ishareknowledge.com is a consultant specializing in human behavior, school and social psychology. She can be contacted at: tonya@ishareknowledge.com
By: Tonya Foust Mead
Are meltdowns by your employees, customers and family causing you to lose valuable business opportunities and friendships? Does the occasional meltdown cause you embarrassment and shame? Do you frequently lose the respect of your colleagues as a result? An emotional meltdown is a natural reaction to the ‘flight or fight’ mechanism that we all experience when faced with a life-threatening situation. Unfortunately many haven’t learned to moderate their reaction between the threats to life, a perceived ‘loss of face’ or ‘dissing.’ For the business owner, emotional meltdowns that happen too frequently in the workplace can also burn through the bottom line.
Most Cited Causes of Meltdowns
The primary causes of emotional meltdowns range from divorce, job loss, death, even love affairs gone awry.
For the Day Spa = When Anger Talks Money Walks
When someone full of anger talks, particularly in the workplace, money walks. Like the NASA example shows, when employees don't get along, it can cost a company more than money, according to Nance Guilmartin, the author of Healing Conversations at Work. Workplace personality conflicts can erode someone's self-esteem and force managers to face an awkward situation. Overt, hostile conflict exhibited in a hair and nail salon, day spa or retreat can prove detrimental to the business. Clients looking for services to gratify their needs for self indulgence are in search of a harmonious environment. Relaxation and the need to get away from it all ranks just as high as the satisfaction brought about by a hair re-touch, press and curl, and/or a massage. Yes, salon owner and stylist—meltdowns are costing you money.
Ways to Avoid Meltdowns
Treat everyone fairly- Common reasons for workplace meltdowns are perceptions of unfairness, favoritism, nepotism and poor management. Disgruntled employees and subcontractors do much to increase negativity in the environs.
• Conduct weekly or bi-monthly staff meetings to air and resolve complaints
• Maintain an open-door policy for staff to discuss confidential matters privately
• Resolve to treat everyone fairly
Separate antagonists- Should meltdowns occur between two different stylists, independent contractors renting booths, that appear to be independent of the business operations, as a salon owner, undertake the following strategies to separate the two rivals.
• Stagger appointments
• Schedule different stylists
• Reserve varying bays and booths
• Re-arrange working schedules at alternating shifts
Change the ambience- If meltdowns occur too frequently within your establishment, regardless of client and employee personalities, perhaps loud music, glaring street lights or uncomfortable furnishings are to blame. Additionally, disgruntled employees and subcontractors do much to increase negativity in the environs. Consider reading a Feng Shui book that will offer the following recommendations:
• Install a fish tank
• Situate artificial or real plants near doorways and windows
• Keep work areas clean and clutter-free
Set the tone- Relax your demeanor. If you find that meltdowns still occur after you’ve made solid attempts to separate antagonists and change the working environment, a more comprehensive approach would be for you as the business owner to model the behavior you wish others to emulate.
• Speak in a soft tone by lowering your voice
• Slow down your speech
• Separate the issue from the person
• Set a time to re-address the issue
• Walk away from any situation causing you distress
So the next time a meltdown occurs at your salon, think through these key points. Work to make your salon a place where you look forward to coming to work everyday – and a place where you wouldn’t mind retreating for some well deserved solitude. Your clients and staff will thank you —and your pocketbook will soon fatten—for your efforts.
Dr. Mead, PhD, MBA, MA www.ishareknowledge.com is a consultant specializing in human behavior, school and social psychology. She can be contacted at: tonya@ishareknowledge.com
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