WHAT IS A GREAT LEADER?

Leading the way

“A leader does not control but allows someone to grow”

The hairdressing industry is full of inspirational salon owners and managers who have grown their teams and their businesses into iconic brands. We asked a selection of top bosses what they feel makes a great leader.

STEVE ROWBOTTOM

Co-Director, Westrow, Leeds

Great leaders wear many hats. It isn’t about ego, but about refining your ability to nurture those in whom you see potential, helping them reach it with a clear path ahead of them. I also believe great leaders need to possess a positive mental outlook, enabling them to provide solutions to any problems a team might face, along with a crystal-clear vision which they remain true to, even throughout the inevitable bumps in the road. A great leader is also comfortable offering opportunities to those better than them, to delegate and understand their own limitations, hiring people along the way who can fill any skill gaps or complement an existing team.

@westrowhair @brookshair

SALLY BROOKS

Co-Owner, Brooks & Brooks, London A great leader can bring out the best in their team — a leader does not control but allows someone to grow. A great leader wants the people they lead to go on and do more than they have achieved, they nurture the team.

nurture

A salon is a business so it has to be treated as one. You have to know where you want to take the business and how to get there through effective decision making. Making the right decisions and being prepared to change the way you run your business is what keeps you forward thinking.

One of the major attributes you need as a leader is patience – you need to listen. Embrace change and take risks. Continued…

LINDA STEWART

Co-Owner of Rainbow Room International, Glasgow Communication is so important, and as a leader you must be able to communicate with all your team effectively, motivating and inspiring them and being there to discuss and work your way round any problems that may arise. You also need to be humble enough to admit to any decisions that did not go to plan.

A leader must also have confidence, a positive attitude and a clear vision, which will inspire team members and help to guide them in the right direction to achieve the goals of the business.

@rainbowroomint

In The Know

“A leader is someone that makes people want to do something”

ROBERT MASCIAVE

Owner, Metropolis Hairdressing, Kingston-Upon-Thames A leader is someone who has vision and clearly defines what success is to both themselves and the rest of the team. A leader has to truly believe in their vision — no one wants to follow anyone who does not believe in it themselves and is not passionate about their path.

A leader is someone that makes people want to do something and really encourages people to share the same vision to move forward.

@metropolishairdressing

A salon manager working in the UK earns an average of

per year, according to recruitment specialists Indeed.

Hair and beauty businesses are flourishing with most still going strong after 5 years. Hair and beauty salons in the UK are estimated to generate a turnover of around

£25k

£8 million

Source: NHBF Industry Statistics Booklet 2020 There are around

29,200

salon owners and managers working in the UK.