Group Fitness Instructors: Have you ever overheard members talking smack about your class in the locker room? What did you do?
Hi Joy,
Consider that the more energy we put into a response, or the thought about a negative situation, the more push back we’ll get. This is a Systems Theory way of thinking. So that, being honestly curious about what we heard, and asking questions around it to learn the perspective of others, may diffuse or confuse the other, and teach us more about ourselves. Additionally, letting things go unattended may produce a greater resistance down the road, just as a discomfort in the calf, if left unattended, may recruit more messengers (other connected fibers) to be heard.
Danielle
21 years ago, when I was a brand new instructor, I subbed for a very popular instructor at a gym where I also had a membership. A few days later, I was in the dressing room getting dressed behind a curtain, getting ready to take the instructor’s class. Some members came up to her and said they were so glad that she was back because the sub was soooooo awful. They went on for about 30 seconds, which felt like an hour. I stayed in there after they left, then gathered my things and drove home in tears.
Here’s what I learned from that experience.
1) As an instructor, I never, EVER, allow members to talk smack about other instructors to me and I try to impress upon my members that a sub is a gift. If they start to complain, I counter with something positive about that instructor.
2) I learned that not everyone is going to like the way I teach, but that doesn’t mean I’m a bad instructor. After I stopped fretting about the people who didn’t like me (and it DID hurt), I recognized that there were a lot more people who liked me – my regular classes had decent attendance. It usually takes a while for an instructor to grow into his or her own skin, and the early criticism forced me to grow into and accept mine.
Be, unabashedly, who you are. Celebrate the members who like your class.
Feedback is what is needed for improvement. Listen 2 what’s offered & put ur pride n ur pocket. WE ALL WEAR MASK’s n 1 form or another, direct feedback can be very tainted by personal issues.
Truth comes from the mouth of babes and those who r not aware their convo is being heard by any1 outside their immediate circle. Take it personal & improve if u find this is the concensus of the majority.
Never let urself become blinded by partiality.
Embrace the fact that anything b improved upon.
Offer a direct change to the area/s of concern, then ask & watch body language 4 feedback.
We all stive 4 perfection & we all fall short more times than not…
b well
It’s bound to happen. In addition to the excellent responses given, I would add that you might want to just listen carefully to determine if there are any valuable comments that you can act on. Otherwise just let it go. Becoming defensive or getting into a debate about issues will likely not lead to a productive conclusion.
Take care.