I’ve been thinking a lot about comebacks lately.

At Strategies, we’re always coaching a number of salon/spa owners back from devastating walkouts, financial nightmares and other setbacks.

FACT: Setbacks suck. Comebacks are tough.

So why have I been thinking a lot about comebacks? As many MMWU readers know, I was hit while riding my bike on June 7, 2017. I spent 20 days in the hospital with injuries and now have a plate and screws in my left hip.

I love cycling because it keeps me fit. But the accident presented a major setback in my endurance and strength. Hey, I could have been killed. I’m grateful my injuries weren’t worse.

A few days ago, I got back on my trainer to begin training for my ninth MS Cape Cod Getaway Ride on June 30-July 1. It’s 150 miles from Boston to Provincetown. I’m captain of Team Strategies and ride with amazing people.

Last June, I followed my team ride from my hospital bed. That was emotionally painful.

THE POINT: It doesn’t matter if it’s a business or physical setback — the process of making a comeback and returning to optimal performance requires a specific mindset.

No matter how great your business is today, a setback can occur in a nanosecond.

Here are my ten No-Compromise Leadership strategies to get into and stay in the right mindset to make your comeback and beyond:

1. Keep it in perspective: I read an article about coming back from an accident. The most powerful recommendation was to remember the years of great rides and not dwell on that one bad one. I’ve been cycling for over ten years. I had one really bad setback. Yes, a major setback will rock your world. But that one setback can never erase years of success, achieved milestones and prosperity. Success defines you. Overcoming a setback refines you.


2. Yes, you can do it again — and do it better: You were riding high. Business was good. Shit happened. A bunch of tough decisions are back on your plate. It’s time to step up and vacate the comfort zone you’ve been in. (Hey, maybe you were in the comfort zone a little too long.) Quitting is not an option. You’ve got too much on the line. People and families depend on you and your business. You’re choice is to allow the setback to consume you and get worse — or inspire you to come back stronger and better.


3. Yes, it’s going to hurt: Of course it’s going to hurt. The instant you turn a setback into a comeback, you’ll discover just how out of shape you and your business became. Systems are going to grind and squeak. Employees are going to grumble and pushback. Cash-flow is going to drip until it flows again. Embrace the comeback pain because it’s part of the process.


4. You control the comeback pace: Comebacks demand boldness, determination and self-leadership. When a leader hesitates, resists or timidly approaches a comeback, the comeback timeline is needlessly extended. The fastest and most impressive comebacks are those where the leader is decisive and aggressive.


5. Contain those negative thoughts: Getting on the trainer and kicking my own ass until it hurts is a guaranteed way to summon up negative thoughts. They sound like, “This hurts. Why am I doing this to myself? Stop and the pain will stop.” There’s only one little voice in your head you should listen to. It’s the one shouting, “You can do it. This is taking you to a better place.” Buying into negative thoughts is surrendering to the setback. Comebacks are about embracing your inner positivity.


6. Fix what wasn’t working right: Okay, it’s time to pull back that curtain where all the funky business detractors hide. They’re there. Every business, no matter how successful, has stuff that needs fixing. Some stuff is long overdue for fixing. Comebacks are the perfect time to clean up the lingering funky stuff in your company. The more you clean up — the faster and more thorough your comeback.


7. Communication is lubrication: Information flow is a business driver. Always has been. Always will be. Business is about teamwork. Teams thrive on communication and information flow. Communication is comeback lubrication because it focuses on what’s important and what needs to be done now, today and tomorrow. Communication squelches the drama of misconceptions and assumptions on what’s really going on. Communication and information flow is the most important work of leadership.


8. Measure what matters: Critical numbers are labeled “critical” for a reason. Productivity rate. New and existing client retention rates. Pre-book rates. Service payroll percent. Debt reduction. Retail recommendations. Time standards. These are just some of the major critical numbers that drive salon/spa efficiency and growth. The ability of a salon/spa business to move two or three of the most critical numbers in the right direction is the key to overcoming a setback and achieving a stellar comeback.


9. Be your team’s inspiration — not constipation: The worst thing we see leaders do is point the finger at employees for all the things that are not working right. Hey, you’re the leader. It happened on your watch and you’ve been watching and enabling what you don’t like. Point the finger at yourself first and take responsibility. Leaders need to inspire people. Leaders need to keep the company’s culture pristine, inclusive and inspiring. Got it?


10. Remember, celebrate and appreciate: Comebacks are actually a series of progressive gains and wins. Team inspiration and motivation is fueled with things as simple as giving kudos to the team and individuals that step up. Celebration, gratitude and appreciation are powerful and give life and meaning to a comeback. Got it?