Pulse Legacy Archive January / February 2011 | Page 32

ASK THE EXPERT

Dr. Elaine Dembe

L

ast Conference’s Professional Development
Session speaker and author of best-selling
books “Passionate Longevity—The 10
Secrets to Growing Younger” and “Use the
Good Dishes—Finding Joy in Everyday Life,” Dr. Elaine
Dembe is a Toronto-based chiropractor and life coach.
Here, in time for a fresh start for 2011, she offers practical advice on managing stress, motivating staff on a
budget, and becoming an effective life coach on a
daily basis.

Pulse: How can spa operators or spa directors create a
balance work-life environment for their team?
Dr. Dembe: While I believe that the concept of work-life
balance is largely a myth, there are ways to help each employee
find health and wellness strategies that apply to work and
home. The “work” part of the equation should be ca rried out
with emphasis on time management, prioritizing and delegation.
A practical exercise for your team is to encourage them to
create their own L.I. F.E. list (see sidebar) wherein each employee
identifies and nurtures the four roots of wellness daily. They need
to keep in mind that even fulfilling one small item under each list
is enough. Team members could share their list and keep each
other accountable.

P: Given the stress of the economic times, what stressresilient measures can spa operators implement to
motivate their team on a budget?
DD: Know what motivates your employees. Staff want to feel
valued. Acknowledge that their contribution is important. This
can be done in small conscious ways: Hand-written notes to
thank or encourage a team member is more meaningful than an
e-mail. Everyone wants to feel special so birthdays of team
members should be celebrated with flare.
Incorporate an “Appreciation Day” when you can treat staff
to spa treatments. Meetings should be fun and creative with
small tokens/gifts for employees that exceed expectations.
People are motivated when they understand and feel aligned

"I've learned from the philosophy of
Deborah Szekely, founder of Rancho La
Puerta Spa, that it is necessary to edit
and prune people, things and situations
that no longer fit on your journey."
30 PULSE

■

January/February 2011