Motivating Aquatic Staff
Originally aired April 13, 2020.
An enjoyable workplace experiences less staff turnover, greater financial success, and high levels of employee engagement. Replicating the approaches used by top brands and employers, it's possible to motivate and recognize aquatic staff on a budget.
Joey Rusnak
Joey is a popular presenter across North America educating and inspiring individuals to do better. He has had the privilege to lead many teams in various recreation departments for indoor/outdoor/waterfront aquatic operations, general community programs, community development, fitness, camps, preschool, skating and sports. Joey seeks new and innovative ways to engage communities and teams, and to prevent and eliminate drowning. His personal mantra is connect, collaborate, and contribute.
Show Notes
00:00 Welcome
29:52 Introducing Joey Rusnak
33:28 Presentation
1:29:30 End of Presentation
1:31:50 Q & A
2:04:28 Wrap Up
Links/Resources
Cheering Works commercial
Seagull Management
5 Love Languages
16 Personalities
True Colours
ALIVE Solutions Inc.
Katie's favourite leadership books:
- The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
- The Power of Less by Leo Babauta
- Quiet by Susan Cain
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
- The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron
- The Carrot Principle by Adrian Gostick & Chester Elton
- Happy Campers by Audrey Monke
- Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
- The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz
- Highly Sensitive Refuge
Leadership books shared in the chat:
- One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard
- Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- Start with Why by Simon Sinek
- Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
- Simon Sinek TED Talks
- The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes & Barry Z Posner
- Robert Glazer's Friday Forward newsletter
- Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results by Stephen C. Lundin
- Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson
Challenge ideas:
- Swim challenge
- Total distance cooperative team challenge (running, biking, swimming, etc.)
Food ideas:
- Staff potlucks
- Chili competition, cake off, cookie tasting
- Sundae setup: ice cream, maraschino cherries, whipped cream, chocolate/caramel/strawberry sauce, marshmallows, sprinkles, cookies, candy, cones, etc. Don't forget dairy free options like sorbet.
- Spaghetti night
- breakfast casserole in the crockpot plus toast, OJ, bananas after an early bird inservice
- Instant Pot lunches
- Weekly treat day (different staff alternate bringing in lunch, snack, etc.)
- Pre-swim lessons breakfast buffet on Saturday/Sunday
- Sandwich making station (peanut butter, jam, lunch meat, cheese)
- Grilled cheese on a countertop griddle or panini maker
- Food theme days (St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, Cinco de Mayo, Canada Day, burgers, birthday party, etc.)
- Waffle/breakfast station
- Homemade popsicles
- Freezie Fridays or freeze Kool Aid juice jammers
- Popcorn station plus seasoning shakers
- Smoothie station (frozen fruit, bananas, plus ice & blender)
- Frappe station (juice plus ice & blender)
- Watermelon Wednesdays
- Subway sandwich platters or frozen lasagna for report card writing day
- Microwave nachos
- Muffin Mondays
- Lifeguard Appreciation Day
- BBQ: hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. (get a used BBQ/grill out back)
- Team monthly birthday cake days
Staff recognition ideas:
- Band aid ballet: how many band aids staff collect
- Weighing the sand that staff sweep up (outdoor pool) and log pounds by person per month
- Super sub star program: for individuals who cover open/tradeboard shifts
- TikTok challenge
- McDonalds coffee stickers donated by clients/customers to create reward coffees for staff
- Staff award nights - plaques, formal clothing, promposals
- Recognition whistles (certain colours) or Lifeguard of the Month tube sleeve
Digital team ideas:
- Facebook Group
- Private Instagram Page
- GroupMe texting
- Google Hangout
- Google Classroom
- Message board in scheduling software
- Zoom, WebX, GotoMeeting, ClickMeeting
- Facebook Live
- Microsoft Teams
- Discord App