3 Words…

“I am sorry”, are three words that can change a situation or a reaction and turn it around so that it is positive. The sincerity of these three words and how you say them are equally important and go a long way!

If you have made a mistake or you are representing an organization that has made a mistake, these three words have significant impact on your customer. More than not, the complaint of the customers just wants to be heard and all you can do is listen, apologize and guarantee you are doing everything you can to sort the situation out.

We use this word to express our regret over our actions and sometimes without this, the relationship between the two parties will dissolve.

So if you personally or your company have made a mistake, say "I am sorry" and hopefully the customer or your friend will understand and you both can move on to better things.

A little history lesson...

In 1972 the Olympic Games were held for the second time in Munich Germany. With only 6 days of competition remaining what happened on the morning of September 5th would force the world to stop. Five Arab terrorists on a mission draw attention to 234 Arab prisoners in an Israeli jail, jumped a six foot fence, met with two others already inside on false credentials, and shot two members of the Israeli Olympic team, capturing nine others as hostages only to kill them less that 24 hours later in a bloody gun battle that would see 17 total deceased.

The reason for telling this gory recollection of history on the brink of our own amazing Olympic adventure is twofold. First, a Kitsilano customer was a competitor at that event. She is a Jewish Canadian and after the memorial service attended by 80,000 was over, the IOC president Avery Brundage declared "the Games must go on." They did without her as she and others who felt it was in bad taste, poor judgement and lack of respect boycotted the remainder of the games.

Recently it has been brought to attention by the media that Vanoc has decided to use clips from Leni Rienfenstahl's Olympia - a German Olympic propaganda movie. The opening scene includes a series of men in a loin clothes running with an Olympic torch tirelessly passing it on until the scene in question where the final runner is greeted by cheering people at the entrance of the stadium. On the right in the original film there are approximately 15 people with their right hands high in the air in a Hail Hitler pose. It is incredibly offensive. In the Vanoc version, the pillar next to them has been extended out to create a black field to hide these people. You do not see them, but it is clear that something is being blocked out.

The points that I would like to draw from this are twofold, first, how well do we know what sports and athleticism represents to our customers? We have many people in all of our customer bases that have been through enormous trials and tribulations on account of their love of being all that they can be.

Secondly, how is our judgement as a whole? I think we do an incredible job with the day to day, engagement, little things and team. We are doing a great job but let's never forget that we are in the business of people and that demands respect and courtesy.

- Angela Tames

The Burden of Leadership

“The wise know too well their weakness to assume infallibility; and he who knows most, knows best how little he knows.”

~ Thomas Jefferson

Being a leader is never easy, and for numerous reasons. You are responsible for educating, directing, creating new paths and setting others on their own. You must have a vision, you must have integrity, and you have to be willing and able to hold others accountable.

BUT: you must be able to hold yourself accountable first - and for many, this is the greatest challenge.

You see, credibility is your biggest asset as a leader - do you practice what you preach? If not, then all of your direction and guidance will fall on deaf ears - because the whole "Do as I say, not as I do" philosophy simply doesn't resonate. Similarly, no one is perfect - and they never will be. So while you have to be willing to do what you ask others to do - equally (and in some cases even more) importantly, you must be able to admit that you're not perfect. That you can be wrong.

And this is where so many leaders fail.

Real world example? Why does so much of what our official "opposition" in the government get ignored - because the policies or issues they speak about isn't true? No - its because we all know that if the same people who are criticizing were actually in power, they'd be doing the exact same thing as the party they're lambasting... and its why more and more people are tuning out our own country's leaders. It's because the voters feel (and in many cases, they're right unfortunately), that no matter who they vote for they're going to get the same thing.

It's time to stop this cycle. We need to "be the change we want to see" - it starts with us, in our every day lives.

After all - just like the opposition parties, if we're not holding ourselves accountable (and being honest about our shortcomings), then we're hardly in a position to be critical of others for making the same mistakes.

~Guy

What is expected from an IF training coach?

To wake up every day and choose to be in a great mood. Eat a healthy breakfast and come to work well before your shift. To help out with any opening duties and offer positive input towards during huddle. To spend the day providing high energy and engaging hours while holding oneself accountable to the highest standards possible. We are totally expected to help with towels, keeping a clean workplace for teammates and customers to participate in plus pick up anything on the ground instead of walking right by…

It’s a simple question in form but not a simple answer at all. Common sense should ring a bell but it seems that common sense is not that common…

The list could go on for a while but some key points to include are as follows:

· 100% - being 100% during a task is so very important. We should want to be this way when doing something only to be moving through tasks with efficiency. When are 100% with something we can complete and move on to the next or just participate at a high level.

· Communication – we should want to choose to work this into our daily lives. Whether that’s pre-calling, following up and or sharing information…the art of communication should be sought after…

· Lead by example – a fairly self-explanatory suggestion but basically setting the bar by just doing. Some are great at talking but those that do and follow through are those who we want to follow and are true leaders.

· Personal accountability – to take responsibility for ones actions is a true test of ones character. It is expected that IF coaches hold themselves accountable to their words and actions.

· Transparency – we all have the opportunity to be truthful and honest. To be open and clear with your intensions or motives builds confidence in those around you. Being transparent helps build trust based relationships and eliminates any possibility of ill feelings.

· Team player – at Innovative Fitness, we are all here for one another. When one falls, there is one to assist to help and another there to take over. Being a team player is part of being unselfish and willing to do for others as you want done for yourself.

· Passion – the team has passion for everything we do and stand for. Whether we are folding towels or leading a group session. Our passion speaks volumes and cannot be matched with being fake or misleading emotions. Our passion comes from within and allows us to take the extra step and similarly go that extra mile.

· Perspective – to have perspective is valuable. We aren’t expected to know everything or be wiser than most, but IF coaches are not one mile wide and an inch deep – we are confident enough to admit when we don’t know something and convey that we will come back with a plan.

· Knowledge – we are hired with at least a base level of knowledge and with the understanding that in order to excel we must strive towards enhancing our knowledge through communication, clinics and asking the questions…

· Aesthetics – not to say that we need chiselled bodies but in order to walk the walk we have to be equipped with the tools…my dentist has pretty nice teeth! But hey, if you haven’t run a 10km, get ready to train with someone who hasn’t either so you can experience it from a-z as well.

· Personality – anyone can train and anyone can provide a session but Innovative Fitness Professional Coaches have what others don’t…personality. It’s that sparkle in the eye and it’s what keeps the controlled chaos in motion. Our personality is expected to shine through and outlast the heaviest storm or blackout.

Our differentiating feature is our x-factor in our personality and all the above points…

What if you could?

Security

If you were driving around Vancouver over the weekend or looking up in the sky today you can sense the tightening up of security that is taking place all across the Lower Mainland and Whistler.

The Olympic Games are seen as a chance to bring the world together through sport but as well the games are seen “as a commercial enterprise and tourist attraction” which grows every time an Olympics takes place. The security blanket is far greater and the expectations grow exponentially each Olympics.

Reports say that this is the largest security operation ever in Canadian History. Canada is gathering help and support from across the country.
- 5,200 RCMP officers
- 1800 municipal, regional and provincial police officers
- 4500 Canadian Forces Personnel
- 500 Private Security personnel
- 60 Days the integrated security Unit will be operating – set up, 17 days of the games and the Paralympics.

How do you feel about it?

Well for one thing, we will be ready, we will be safe and I hope we will all enjoy this amazing experience which is about to take place in 12 Days!

Sticking to the Plan

Everyday you wake up can be a little bit of challenge - knowing exactly what you have to accomplish for that day, especially when every detail is laid out for you. It can be a little overwhelming and mind-boggling, some days a little demanding and exhausting. Although, when you understand why you plan things, you realize their importance. Everything is done for a specific reason, and in the big picture, it will help you accomplish your goals and reach whatever success you set out for yourself.

After making the decision to train for a huge event this coming year, I spent the time looking at what was going to be next twelve months of my life and planned what now seems like every minute and every detail of my life. I knew that I couldn’t just “wing” it; I needed to make a plan, and truly stick with it, no matter what.

Following and sticking to my plan to an absolute tee, and doing things properly, has made me I feel like I’m making huge strides in attaining my goals.

There are times when it can be very challenging and tempting to stray from what I’m supposed to do, however, knowing where my finish line will be is what gets me through each and every day, and what keeps me dialed in to what I know I’m supposed to do.


-Nina Mathers

You Are the Sum of the Whole, Not Single Moments

Legacy: "Something handed down from an ancestor or a predecessor or from the past."

On April 12, 1980, Terry Fox dipped his right leg into the Atlantic Ocean and set out on his marathon of hope. For the next few months, Terry ran through Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Quebec, reaching Ontario in June. Over that time, he covered approximately 23.3miles per day, and had reached just outside Thunderbay when his battle with cancer finally forced him to stop - one year later, he lost the fight entirely. However, his courageous journey will continue to live on and Terry's efforts will never be forgotten.

On March 31, 1984, Steve Fonyo began his "Journey for Lives" - a marathon that was meant to honor Terry, covering the same route and then carrying on past where Terry had finally succumbed. He completed it on May 29, 1985 after covering 4,924 miles and raising $14 million (CDN). In the early part, he was criticized as a "copy-cat", and was overshadowed by Terry's history - but by the end, he had earned everyone's respect by his own right, and amongst other things was awarded the Order of Canada in 1985 - the youngest person ever given the status at that time.

Sadly, after reaching this pinnacle, Steve Fonyo has been in and out of the legal system for various reasons: assault with a weapon, fraud, impaired driving - the list goes on. In December of 2009, Steve Fonyo became only the fourth person in history... to have his Order of Canada revoked.

It's been said "Leadership isn't a sometimes thing", and that "Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit". As leaders, we do well to remember this - when you leave work, when you're out shopping, or when you move on from a position - your legacy continues to be written.

You are not only who you choose to be - but who you choose to be at all times. History will always continue to be written.

~Guy