#38 Leading with Vision: Inspiring Your Salon Team

You didn’t become a salon owner to constantly micromanage, fix problems, and put out fires.

But here you are, stuck in the middle of trying to grow a business and wondering why your team doesn’t seem motivated unless you're breathing down their neck.

Here’s the hard truth: Most salon teams aren’t lazy. They’re uninspired.

And as the leader, that part falls on you.

This isn’t about guilt. It’s about opportunity. Because when you shift from managing tasks to casting vision? You build a culture where people want to rise.

1. Vision Beats Pressure Every Time

You can scare people into results temporarily. But long-term growth? That comes from meaning.

Stylists want to be part of something that matters. If all they hear is, “We need to hit numbers” or “We need to sell more retail,” they’re just going through the motions.

But when they understand the WHY behind it? When they see how their work contributes to a bigger purpose? That’s when it clicks.

Action Step: Share your vision often. Not once a year at the holiday party. Weekly. In meetings. In one-on-ones. Tie daily work back to the bigger picture.

2. Don’t Just Set Goals. Tell the Story.

Goals on a whiteboard aren’t inspiring. But a compelling story? That sticks.

Example: Instead of just saying, “Your retail goal this month is $2,000,” try: “If you can sell $500 of retail each week, you’ll hit your retail goal for the month. When you hit your goal, you’ll qualify for your bonus, and you’ll be able to buy the “XYZ” that you’ve been saving up for!”  

Make it human. Make it personal. Make it mean something to them.

3. Let Them Own It

If you do all the thinking, planning, and driving? They’ll let you.

Ownership is built by inviting input, giving people room to lead, and celebrating wins out loud.

Action Step: Ask for ideas. Not just once. Create systems that foster collaboration as part of the organizational culture. Like a 10-minute segment in every team meeting dedicated to ideas that make the guest experience better. And change up the topic for ideas each time. 

4. Paint the Picture of the Future

A motivated team needs a finish line or at least a next step they can see.

What are you building? Why does it matter? What could it look like 6 months from now?

Get specific.

• "I want us to be known as the salon that develops talent better than anyone in town."

• "My goal is that 2 years from now, every stylist here is making more money than they ever have, with more balance."

People don’t follow vague ideas. They follow leaders with a vision.

The Vision Isn’t Just Yours. It’s Theirs Too.

Your team wants to grow. They want to be proud of where they work. They want to be seen, challenged, and valued.

When you lead with vision, clearly, consistently, and with heart? They won’t need to be “pushed”. 

Because the vision will pull them forward with you. 

You’ve got this, friend.

Salt & Light,

Heather