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Articles by Derek Deprey
Leaders will learn the importance of staying ‘coachable,’ at BizExpo Lunch ‘n Learn program
Everyone talks about how to lead others. Few talk about how to stay coachable while doing it. During the Lunch ‘n Learn program on Thursday, May 21 at BizExpo, BizTimes Media’s annual daylong business-to-business networking and education extravaganza, business leaders will learn how “staying coachable” will make them more effective. The program, called “Leadable: Be Coachable.
What a former NBA player taught me about leadership and connection
In today’s world – where attention is scarce, communication moves fast and more relationships happen through screens than handshakes – leaders are rediscovering something important: connection is still the differentiator. Technology can accelerate business, but genuine relationships still drive trust, loyalty, and opportunity. Several years back, I received a voicemail from a Marquette University administrator Already a subscriber? Log in To continue reading this article...
Combating resenteeism
Understanding the root causes of employee dissatisfaction and how to address it In recent years, two interconnected trends have reshaped workplace dynamics, influencing both organizational culture and productivity: quiet quitting and resenteeism. While quiet quitting became a well-known concept after going viral in 2021, resenteeism is still relatively unfamiliar to many. Although both trends represent forms of employee disengagement, they manifest in different ways.
Sneak Peek of Newly Released SHIFT and Much More
18 Mar Sneak Peek of Newly Released SHIFT and Much More Free chapters of SHIFT released! Click here for your complimentary download. Additionally, please click on the following links to receive the additional resources: Please spread and share. My vision is to move one million people from frustrated to fulfilled. Your Fellow Traveler, Derek
Reimagine Your Business
Chez Misko March 3, 2021 Chez Misko, the COO of Wisconsin Athletic Club, shares why you should reimagine your business to take it further than you were pre-COVID. The Wisconsin Athletic Club opened in March of 1976. At that time, we were cleverly called “The Racquetball Club” because all we offered was racquetball. Since then, the health and sports club industry has changed and evolved.
Why Universal Athletic Club Chose Jonas Fitness
Universal Athletic Club needed a join online option, as well as a better app for their members and employees to gain access to schedules and account information. They set out to find a management software that had a more open API, the option to continue to run billing in-house and that continually updates and improves their system. For them, Jonas Fitness was the best fit.
5 Things the Best Leaders Will Do Post-Pandemic
Derek Deprey July 1, 2020 As a result of the coronavirus, the club world was shaken to its core. Our facilities were left dark, cold and empty for months. While they will likely never be the same, our clubs will absolutely be back. In fact, they’ll be better for the long haul — but only if our leaders up their game. In times of heightened stress, we must improve the way we lead. Here are five things the best leaders will do post-pandemic: 1. The best leaders will adapt more than ever.
The Future of Leadership
Derek Deprey March 2, 2020 According to the 2018 McKinsey Global Institute Workforce Skills Executive Survey, between 2016 and 2030, demand for social and emotional skills will grow across all industries by 26% in the U.S. This includes the club business. In 2020, we need to stop calling these skills “soft skills” or “non-cognitive skills,” as this implies they are easy and don’t need to be a priority.
6 Ingredients to Own and Immediately Resolve Problems
Derek Deprey November 27, 2019 One of my colleagues was walking around the gym finding his next client. As he was passing by the yoga room, a member abruptly stopped him and shouted, “Sir, the dirty towel bin is missing. Where should I put my towel?” The trainer replied, “Let me go find the bin right away.” Within a split second, the member jammed her towel in the trainer’s chest and grumbled, “Do your job.” Members walk in with lots of problems aside from you.
How Do You Show Employees You Care?
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock If you left your organization today, would you leave all the managers and team members with a care package? I recently led a Kids’ Clubhouse Team Lead meeting. Toward the end of the meeting, Kevin Koehler, one of the managers, announced he was going to be moving to Texas in a few weeks. He then turned around and grabbed seven manila envelopes. They were care packages, one for each manager in the room.
The Best Way To Commit To Something
IMAGE COURTESY OF SHUTTERSTOCK A lot of people ask me, “How did you become a training facilitator and professional speaker?” In May of 2009, I was a newer general manager at the Wisconsin Athletic Club. It was the night of our quarterly new-hire orientation where we teach the company’s history, philosophy and goals.
What I Learned About Using Names After Buying 1,800 Cups of Coffee
image by shutterstock Are you obsessed with coffee? In 2008, I started drinking coffee, the old-school energy drink. A couple of years later, I became a coffee snob when I started my new morning routine. Fast forward to today, and I only drink the “good coffee” from coffee shops. It’s pretty much on my to-do list. In 2017, after my 1,800th cup of coffee at a large chain, I had an aha moment.
Leadership: What it Means to Be More Human
image by shutterstock Think about your last performance evaluation. What sticks in your memory? Do you remember the energizing pluses or the dreaded minuses? Let’s flash back to 2010 for a moment. It was the day of my annual review as a general manager of the Wisconsin Athletic Club. For the first 58 minutes, things were positive and uplifting. I felt confident and on top of my game. For the last two minutes, after I expressed a strong desire to be promoted, not so much.
6 Reasons to Recognize a Humble Employee
Recently, my friend and Wisconsin Athletic Club colleague, Mark Baumhardt, turned 40. To celebrate, we enjoyed a delicious lunch, and I asked him, “What word or phrase do you think best describes you?” Mark replied, “Dependable. If someone said I was dependable, that would be the best compliment I could get.” It hit me Mark is the most dependable coworker I’ve ever been around, yet one of the most underappreciated. Do you know dependable people who are undervalued?
Be More Interruptible and Become a Better Leader
Do you have interruptions in your club? Of course you do. If you’re anything like me, you get interrupted every couple of minutes with calls, voicemails, emails, texts, social media posts, employees, visitors, snail mail and meetings. On top of that, just about everything I read or hear about interruptions is negative. For example, a Journal of Experimental Psychology study found that people make twice as many errors after a brief interruption.
The Impact of One Single Decision
As I was walking up to the front desk, I saw a couple that wanted to speak with me. The lady used a walker. Immediately, I had an inkling about what was going to happen next. The gentleman said, “Are you the manager?” I replied, “I am. How may I help you?” He responded, “I am John and this is my wife, Sue. Did you get rid of the NuStep machines?” I replied, “Nope. We still have them. A couple of days ago, we moved them to a different room.
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