.png)
Thank you to the 1,400 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 questions!
I hope reading
helps you in your leadership.
Cheers,
Jonno White
7 Questions with Mel Tempest
7 Questions with Mel Tempest
Name: Mel Tempest
Current title: Gym Owner, Podcaster And Industry Speaker
Current organisation: MelTempest.net
In 2017 Mel Tempest was the first Australian to receive an award from IHRSA. In 2017 her health club was in the top 3 Smart Company Australian awards, In 2019 And 2020 Mel was recognised as a top 3 fitness business influencers in the USA by the Association Of Fitness Studios. In 2005 she was the first Australian to receive approval from the Equal Opportunity Board and Human Rights Commission to open Australia’s first male gym.
1. What have you found most challenging as a leader of a small or medium enterprise?
Getting other people to believe in challenging the status quo, to do different and to never be afraid to speak up.
2. How did you become a leader of an SME? Can you please briefly tell the story?
I entered the fitness industry twenty years ago all I wanted to do was teach classes, 12 months into my journey a manager told me I couldn't teach a particular style of class so I went home and told my husband I wanted to open a gym, the rest is history! I couldn't understand an industry that is supposed to inspire people to be the best they can be didn't walk the talk with their own professionals.
3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?
Emails first thing in the morning, then I teach classes after this I spend about 3 hours working on different aspects of my businesses then I either go back to work to teach or spend time with family. I love to cook when I have time!
4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?
I wouldn't say it was a lesson but COVID reiterated to me the importance of leadership in our industry, both within our club and with our peers.
5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?
I don't read books cover to cover, I read the areas that interest me, I highlight them with a marker and revert back to them when I need to. 9 partnership principles by Robert Dyer and Bryan O'Rourke is one of my top 3.
6. How do you build leadership capacity in an SME?
Be confident, delegate, open the doors of education, mentor and be open and encourage change.
7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader of an SME so far?
Watching a woman we employed with little education blossom, six years later she runs our front desk, has lost 55kgs, she motivates and inspires many women with her story. Had she not been given an opportunity this may never have happened. We gave her a job because pretty much she spoke to everybody she didn't know at our club!