Creating and maintaining a positive, successful, and expansive studio experience is all in the details. And the most important variable in this dynamic is the teachers who are employed there. It is imperative that the studio run like a well-oiled machine. The clients should have no idea of all of the gear turning that happens behind the scenes to create their experience.
The first step in ensuring that things run smoothly is establishing a team attitude between the teachers themselves and also with the owners. Everyone has a better experience when they feel like everyone is chipping in and is being respected and heard. The minute there is a breakdown in this chain, resentment can arise and thus a breakdown in communication. Here are some tips in creating a peaceful and functional studio space.

  • Establish rules right off the bat. Everyone does better when they know what is expected of them. Having a handbook of studio expectations is a must. This will outline the dos and don’ts so that no one has to guess and everyone can then be held to the same standard.
  • If there is a problem, talk about it to the person directly. This doesn’t have to be a confrontation. But if something is bothering you about a colleague, it is better to find a resolution. Talking behind someone’s back only causes rifts in the team and often can be very destructive. If you aren’t comfortable with approaching the person directly, go to the studio owner for help. That is why they are there.
  • Be aware of time. Time is money in our industry. And scheduling can be very tight when working in a busy studio. Starting and ending on time to the best of your ability helps in transitions and maintains a healthy flow of traffic through the studio.
  • Clean up after yourself and others. This can be tough in short transition times, but it is a must. And getting in the habit of picking up after your teammates is very helpful to the studio in general. Chances are your coworkers will see you do this and will return the favor when you are in a bind.
  • Be mindful of the level of your voice when teaching with other sessions going on. It is easy to get carried away when you are really into the work that is being done in front of you. Just remember to be respectful to those around you trying to focus also.
  • Share your clients! This is so important. For a studio to run smoothly, sharing clients is a must. This is one of the best ways teachers can support each other. It is a win, win situation all around. The clients get fun, varied work, while the teachers get support from one another and another pair of eyes. This is also wonderful when you want to go on a much-needed vacation and you need some class coverage. Just be sure to write down what you work on, so that everyone has access to the most up-to-date information on your clients.

These are some easy rules to go by in creating an effective and easy studio team. Remember, when things run smoothly, everyone wins.

~ by Casey Marie Herdt

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