Servant leadership

Welcome to the SPF23 Series.

Around here, we talk a lot about SPF23. We don't want to get burned in business, so we try to make sure everything we do is Sharp, Professional, and Fun.

Those three principles apply whether we're talking about a waterpark, an attraction, a restaurant, or really any business where people are leading people.

Culture Starts With You

One of the biggest things I've learned over the years is that you can't just tell people what kind of culture you want. You have to show them.

We believe strongly in servant leadership at P2:3. That means sometimes you have to get out from behind the desk, roll up your sleeves, and work right alongside your team.

You can teach somebody how to run a register.

You can teach them how to check chemicals.

You can teach them what to say when a guest walks through the gate.

Those are the mechanics of the job, and those things matter.

But once they know the mechanics, they're watching you to figure out everything else.

How do you treat the guest who's upset?

How do you respond when something goes wrong?

Are you willing to jump in when the team is slammed?

Do you expect one standard from them and live by another one yourself?

That's where culture is really built.

Get Out There With Your People

Some of the best relationships I've built with team members didn't happen sitting across a desk from them. They happened working beside them.

When you're out there with your team, you're getting to know your people. You're building trust. You're reinforcing the standard. And you're giving them a chance to see what Sharp, Professional, and Fun actually looks like instead of just hearing you talk about it.

So here's my challenge for you:

If you have an opportunity to lead somebody today, don't just tell them what you want them to do.

Show Them

Get out from behind the desk. Work beside them. Model the task, but more importantly, model the culture.

Because your team is always watching, and what you do will go a whole lot further than what you say.