Why Being a Patient Leader Can Yield Better Results

The Lessons in Fitness Leadership series highlights IHRSA’s industry leaders and thanks them for their continued commitment to growing, promoting, and protecting the health club industry. By sharing their business expertise, we hope that you will get to know them, what they've learned along the way, and how they view leadership.

Frank Lawrence
CEO
Little Rock Athletic Club

What is the most fulfilling part of being a business leader in the fitness industry?

Trying to make a difference and trying to be an advocate for our industry by creating a fitter, healthier life for all people.

If you were able to go back in time, what is one piece of leadership advice you would have given your younger-self about working in the fitness industry?

Be patient. I would say that I tend to be pretty aggressive both in business decisions and how I play sports. Sometimes it can be easy to rush and over play any situation. Like in tennis for instance, if you are too aggressive and try to over play the ball or the point, it could ultimately lead to a mistake. Versus if you are patient and wait for your body to react to the ball, this can lead to better results.

What prompted you to join the Industry Leadership Council (ILC)?

To be an advocate for our industry. If I’m part of this industry, then I want to be a leader that works hard to draw the industry and our efforts into the future.

The Personal Health Investment Today Act, or PHIT, is legislation that would make access to physical activity more affordable. How will passage of this bill help America get fit?

Anything that takes away barriers for people to lead a healthy lifestyle is beneficial. Giving someone an incentive that allows them to use tax dollars to pay for club membership wears away at these barriers and is helpful.

IHRSA does a significant amount of advocacy work to Grow, Promote and Protect clubs across the country. How do you feel that work benefits your business or the industry at large?

The IHRSA advocacy team is constantly out in front, leading the industry and the fitness landscape as a whole. They are able to speak on our behalf because of that. IHRSA acts as one collective voice, which is much more powerful than any of our own individual voices.