| Friend,
What's the first thing that happens when you get a new job?
Well, besides meeting your new boss, it's going to HR and signing off on the company's policies.
Most companies do this because they want to ensure that every employee has read and understands the company policy manual...
...so later if there's an issue and they have to let you go, they can avoid a wrongful discharge lawsuit by having proof that you not only broke a company policy, but that you also knew exactly what you were doing when you did so (shame on you for taking naps in the copy supply room).
Now, we all know that those policy manuals have pretty much gotten ridiculous - some of them are War and Peace length, and the truth is no one is going to read them (except an HR person).
However, the idea of making sure that everyone knows and understands your organizational policies is still an excellent idea, and done correctly it can help prevent many uncomfortable situations in your dojo.
One of the first things I do when I open a new school is to get my policies printed on a large piece of coroplast. Then, I post them in the front lobby.
That way I know everyone who walks in has the opportunity to read my policies... everything from the level of contact allowed in sparring, to keeping uniforms clean and nails trimmed, to no shoes on the mats, to fees for late payments and penalties for NSFs.
(I also post a sign behind my desk that clearly states in bold letters: "NO REFUNDS".)
Another thing I like to do is to hand out our policies to new students in their new student packet when they join. That way I know they've received a copy to take home, so they can't later say that they never read the HUGE sign in the lobby. :)
It may seem like overkill, but in reality it's simply the honest way to do business. By being transparent and up front with all your organizational policies, you eliminate the ambiguity that comes with doing things willy-nilly.
Ambiguity leads to misunderstandings, and misunderstandings can lead to other issues that could have easily been avoided if policies had been clearly communicated to the client in the first place.
Besides that, people respect you more when you have clear policies that are fairly and equally enforced across the board.
And that leads me to the next topic, maintaining your positional authority. Positional authority is the authority that you get from your title, rank, and position in an organization. By simply being the head instructor in your dojo, you have a lot of positional authority.
However, instructors often inadvertently undermine their positional authority by ruining their relational authority with their students.
And just what is relational authority? Relational authority is the authority that comes from gaining the trust and respect of the people you lead.
Positional authority is somewhat automatic, but relational authority is earned. And the weird thing is, when you lose relational authority, your positional authority loses power as well.
This ends up becoming problematic when you need to exert your authority to deal with a student (or parent) who is out of line.
So how can you undermine your own positional authority? Here are just a few ways you can undermine your own authority as the head instructor in your school: - By cowing to the demands of pushy students and parents.
- By allowing a prospective student to negotiate you down on your posted prices. (NEVER do this! That student will never respect you again if you let them do this to you.)
- By saying one thing, and doing another (do as I say, not as I do).
- By going back on your word.
- By enforcing rules and policies selectively.
- By being dishonest in your dealings with others.
- By letting someone treat you poorly in front of your students. (Such as someone who is senior to you in rank - I've seen this happen. If any higher ranking instructor ever comes into your school and does anything but validate and reinforce your authority... find another instructor!)
These are just examples, but I'm sure you get the point. Your integrity and word must be your bond if you want people to respect your authority in your school.
And, as soon as you let one person break the rules, everyone else will think they can get one over on you as well. Before long, the inmates will be running the asylum. Don't do it!
So, to recap: - Be sure to have policies that cover everything from student conduct, to student hygiene, to your dojo's payment policies and late fees.
- DO NOT make up policies on the fly! Figure them out early on, and write them down.
- Clearly communicate those policies to your clients. MAKE THEM PUBLIC.
- Enforce those policies equally and fairly across the board. Treat every student the same, with the same amount of respect and courtesy.
- Make your word your bond.
The bottom line is, create clear expectations for student behavior, and be rock-solid in conveying and enforcing those expectations with your students.
Take it from me, by maintaining a strong position of authority, your job as a leader will become much, much easier.
Until next time,
Mike Massie
P.S. - Remember, the more people respect you, the easier your job will be as the leader of your school. Strive to be the type of leader that people respect and follow almost unquestioningly. And once you have the respect of your students, never abuse that authority or use it to influence your students for personal gain.
P.S.S. - By respecting the faith your student's have placed in you, you'll be reinforcing the relational authority you have with them. And over the long haul, your relational authority will trump any amount of positional authority you may have. | 