19 March 2024

Using a left brain versus right brain approach to your salon business

Eufora Business Trainer, Kat Riley, shares the magic that can happen in your salon when right-brained “Creatives” get left-brain analytical in a balanced approach to your business strategy.

The human brain is an intricate organ. It is the command center for everything we think, feel, and do. While the two sides of a human brain look very much alike, there’s a huge difference in how they process information. Some may already be familiar with the left-brain versus right-brain theory; but, for those who need a refresher, it goes as follows: the theory tells us that people tend to display either left-brained or right-brained traits, meaning that one side of their brain is dominant. Those who are analytical and methodical in their thinking would be left-brained. Those who are more creative or artistic, are right-brained.

So, when we think of beauty industry “Creatives” – like stylists, educators, and owners – most are inclined to consider them on the right side of the “brain” spectrum. Seasoned salon owners realize that magic can happen when the artistic, imaginative, intuitive passion of a right-brained beauty professional is revolutionized through analytical linear thinking. Bang! Like atomic fusion, when the left brain-right brain free-spirited, or idiosyncratic talent collides with savvy business smarts and a logical mindset channels, it becomes a powerful new force. Eufora Hair Care continue in their mission to continue supporting partners and salon professionals through education and inspiration. Here are some pointers on how to achieve left brain versus right brain fusion.

Channeling left brain versus right brain power into your salon business

Harnessing left brain versus right brain power is a beautiful thing in theory, but how can it actually happen? Below, Eufora Business Trainer and owner of Katherine Jon Salon in Port Jefferson Station, NY, Kat Riley, shares some of her proven methods to ensure that salon owners know how to make the most of every “Creative” on the salon team, keeping them focused, organized, and ready to take on the world.

Kat Riley, Eufora Business Trainer and owner of Katharine Jon Salon

1. Discover stylists’ visions and dreams

Discover what they want to achieve. For example, do you know their “WHY?” or statement of purpose? By gaining a better understanding of their motivation, you can make them more aware of the left brain versus right brain in personal terms. They must have some purpose in life. After all, the reason why they go to work every day goes beyond the fact that just that they “love creating hair,” (right brain). Perhaps they want to buy a home, or be debt free, or even become a platform artist (left brain). There always has to be something they are striving for or working towards. Having a vision takes the dull mundane vibe out of the day to day, and replaces it with excitement – while building financial stability. Refocusing artistic talent to become more goal-oriented is key.

2. Build an environment your stylists ENJOY

It is pivotal to create a feeling of belonging and a certain knowingness that the entire team is being heard. Owners need to establish and reinforce the foundations that are the driving force of the salon. Each and every day, remind the team why they are doing what they do. The salon environment should be one of respect and understanding, where everyone is courteous and accepting of personal and professional differences. Moreover, cultivating core values in the workplace makes it more commonplace for people to work well as a team.

3. Develop team members’ strengths.

Creating and maintaining a happy and healthy team is like any other relationship in life – you have to keep it exciting. You have to be mindful. You have to harness the power of the thing you love doing the most, and USE that to achieve goals and dreams. Again, a combination of left brain versus right brain in perfect equilibrium!

Owners should establish processes and systems that bring the team’s visions to life. People tend to beat themselves up when it comes to what they don’t do well. So a good owner knows how to refocus their thinking toward what they have already mastered. Remember to boost their confidence and encouraging them to achieve even more (right brain). However, don’t enable stagnant performance. Make sure everyone understands goals, objectives and accountability (left brain).

4. Learn, and work with, the salon team’s core values.

When you know what character traits anchor your stylists, you are better equipped to help shape their success. The principles they hold most dear can be considered right-brain attributes, like kindness, calmness, balance, ambition, flexibility, wealth, or security. These will act as a compass to help guide them toward living the amazing life they want. When stylists realize and embrace core values, it can improve their left-brain decision-making, productivity and goal achievements. In conclusion and most importantly, it helps them see the value in themselves.

Think of learning a goal-oriented mindset like training wheels for a bike. It instills confidence in a new skill. It will take time to build upon what’s easy, and then begin learning more advanced skills. Then, once analytical skills are realized, and the team is capable of adopting them as daily practices, it’s time to integrate the new skill set into the day-to-day culture of the salon. When “right brained”, easily distracted, curious and oh-so-lovable stylists start to focus on the details, they learn the value of playing to their strengths, and can broaden their horizons. It takes a strong commitment to master a “left brained” analytical skill set. But stay focused and the rewards will follow!

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