A huge part of being a leader is having the ability to successfully empower others, while earning their trust and possessing the utmost integrity. It’s about having the willingness to share your skills and expertise, while building confidence and helping other individuals discover their passions and realize their best assets. In the cheerFIT Ambassador program, the ultimate goal is to inspire others physically and mentally, while sharing what it means to live a cheerFIT lifestyle. The ambassadors are the driving force behind the brand – they excel in leading others within their community and are the best advocates for “ practice what you preach”. Possessing excellent leadership qualities is important for forming and maintaining strong, trusting relationships not only within the fitness industry, but with family, friends and colleagues.
I’ve worked in multiple management positions within the retail industry specifically, and the most rewarding aspect is watching the new-hires develop their skills and find exactly where they excel. At first, they were very shy and a little intimidated by all of the procedures and detailed tasks – but soon enough they became so confident in their role that they were encouraging me in return. An important quality we should exemplify in a leadership position is humility. If you’re good or amazing at something, trust me – it shows, and everyone notices. Some of my best managers that have helped my grow into my career displayed this quality and it made me so much more willing to ask questions. Not once did they ever have a condescending attitude or make me feel inferior. To them, I owe so much respect. They gave me encouragement, guidance and the confidence to find out exactly what I was good at and to conquer it. I’ve kept those leadership qualities with me as I managed my teams. Although I’ve moved across the world as a military spouse and had to leave behind some amazing friends and coworkers, they still keep me up to date on their accomplishments thus far. It’s amazing to see how the people I’ve managed are now training and recruiting others, continuing that same passion and drive for a successful lifestyle!
I’ve learned that bragging and shameless self-promoting won’t do anything except annoy everyone else around you, as well as diminish your credibility. A strong work ethic and a positive attitude will speak volumes. Be proud of yourself, but also know when to take the time to step back for a second, and remember at one time you were in their position – maybe just starting out with a weight-loss goal or working your way up the corporate ladder. No matter how much success you achieve, NEVER lose sight of where you started and the people around who helped you get there. Always remember that being a leader doesn’t mean dictating orders – it means guiding a community to better themselves and while adding value to their lives, you are adding value to your own.
Your cheerFIT Ambassador,
Christina @christinambravo
Christina
Christina was a cheerleader all throughout high school, participating in two competitions during her time there. She has a passion for the fashion industry and graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, with years of experience in retail, visual merchandising and styling. In addition to her love of the cheer sport, some of her other favorite things are creative writing, dancing, pilates, green tea, and walks with her dog Jersey! She is currently living in South Korea with her military husband, spreading the cheerFIT lifestyle overseas!