About Chris Stevenson

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 Articles

Are You Truly Having Inclusive Conversations?
October 2023 - "Inclusive Conversations" by Mary Frances Winter is a book that serendipitously caught my eye at a bookstore, and rightfully so. In today's rapidly evolving world, conversations surrounding inclusivity, diversity and understanding are more crucial than ever. Winter's skillful use of examples that vividly illustrate her points, putting complex concepts into clear perspective, sets this book apart. This particular feature enhances the book's effectiveness in driving home the importance of inclusive conversations and actions. Winter's insightful exploration of these subjects makes this book a must-read for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of our diverse society. Here are some of my key takeaways... Read Article...

Five Keys to Opening a New Facility
July 2022 - When I opened our last club well over ten years ago, I remember it being a very stressful, crazy and exciting time. We weren't a franchise, so we literally had to do everything from scratch and by ourselves, from finding the location to creating all of the operating systems and everything in between. We had no compass; it was just us. Having been through that process, I thought it might be helpful to share things to consider when opening a club. As I started prepping this article, I had a hard time figuring out where to start, since there are so many concerns that have to be addressed. Then, I came across a great article that IHRSA published entitled, Top 5 Things Americans Consider When Choosing a Gym. I figured that, since IHRSA identified what consumers are looking for, why not use these same ideas to guide best practices for opening and operating a facility? Read Article...

Four Keys to Effective Leadership
September 2023 - Effective leadership is essential for the success of any organization. Leadership is a skill that can be challenging to learn. However, once mastered, it makes a massive difference in the success and growth of an organization. While many skills, traits and strategies are necessary for effective leadership, four fundamental building blocks have emerged throughout my career as the most essential. Influential leaders inspire and motivate their team members, communicate effectively, create an environment of collaboration and participation, and ensure that all team members always feel appreciated. A foundation for success has been laid when these building blocks are solidly in place. In this article, we will explore these four critical attributes of effective leadership and how they can be used to create a successful and productive work environment... Read Article...

Have You Ever Thought About Speaking at a Conference?
September 2022 - IHRSA 2022 is in the books and IHRSA 2023 is already on the horizon! Now, thinking back, presenting at conferences has been an incredible experience for me. I have literally had the opportunity to speak all over the country and all over the world. People often ask me if speaking is a natural ability or if it is something that can be learned. The truth is, while it is helpful to have some natural ability, it is a skill that can be learned with a little time and effort. If you are good at what you do, and passionate about sharing that with others, you can be a presenter. While there is a lot that goes into it, I want to share five important aspects that will help you get started... Read Article...

Is Your Culture By Accident or Is It By Design?
November 2023 - When it comes to organizational success, few elements are as influential as culture. I've have presented a lot on this topic, and it is one of my favorites because it has such a big impact on an organization's success. I am always excited to learn more, which is why I decided to read David Friedman's "Culture by Design." In his book, Friedman presents a compelling argument for actively designing and nurturing culture within an organization. As an avid reader, I found this book to be a valuable resource, although it didn't necessarily unveil groundbreaking concepts. Instead, it offers solid takeaways and practical examples that can significantly impact how leaders approach culture within their organizations. Here are Five Key Takeaways... Read Article...

Key Takeaways From SCW Atlanta Mania 2022
October 2022 - SCW Atlanta Mania is in the books, and it was a blast! There was a perfect combination of educational sessions, networking events and fun. Marisa Hoff and I presented several sessions at the event, so what follows are the topics we spoke on and a key takeaway from each one... Read Article...

Knowledge Level Up
May 2023 - Publisher's Note: If you have not checked out the blog of our friend, Chris Stevenson, Founder of The Empower Group and IHRSA Board Member, I highly recommend it. Like Club Insider, he Tells-It-Like-It-Is on a myriad of topics while sharing his experiences across the industry. Specifically related to this article, Chris is also quite the reader. By my count, several books per month, and he shares his thoughts about each one in regular blog posts. This month, Chris shares four of those with you. Read Article...

Three Key Points on Enforcement of Gym Etiquette Expectations
January 2024 - We've all seen, heard and maybe even smelled them. The flaunters. The grunters. The hoggers. Those with suspect hygiene habits. While a majority of our clients are great, there are times when some need to remember (or be reminded) that they are in a shared space where courtesy and respect should be practiced. Everyone needs to adhere to proper gym etiquette to ensure that all members, from seasoned bodybuilders to fitness beginners, have positive experiences in our gyms. Read Article...

When It Comes to Decision Making, "Real" Always Trumps "Feel."
July 2023 - We have used a concept for years that has helped us tremendously with our ability to make good decisions when running health clubs. It's called "real versus feel." The idea is that, when it comes to decision-making, it is always best to go with "real" instead of "feel." Feel is based on emotion and theory. Real is based on data and facts. This may sound simple, but it is harder to execute than you think. Emotions are strong and can take over at times. This is especially true of negative emotions. While it's human nature to let feel dominate real, doing so often leads to poor decision-making. Read Article...

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Showing 1 - 9 of 9 Articles