What Leadership Skills Are Needed in Cosmetology and Massage Therapy?

Leadership skills, including decision making, effective communication and listening skills, are important if you are in the cosmetology or massage therapy fields. If you are planning on entering one of these fields, practice these leadership skills regularly.

Decision Making

• Both cosmetologists and massage therapists must have good decision-making skills. Decision making can be as simple as helping a customer decide on which hair treatment or massage treatment to choose, or it can be as difficult as making a decision on the type and quality of hair products or skin products you'd like to use in your business.

Professionalism

• Professionalism is required in both of these fields as well. Professionalism is of the utmost importance in cosmetology and massage therapy because these people are dealing with their customers' personal appearance and well-being.

Effective Communication

• You must be an effective communicator if you are in cosmetology or massage therapy because it is important to communicate well with your coworkers and with your customers. It is especially vital in cosmetology because you are altering someone's appearance by using hair color, haircuts, and so forth.

Giving Information

• People working in the cosmetology and massage therapy industries should be on top of their game when it comes to information about their industry. It is their responsibility to relay pertinent information that will affect their clientele and others around them.

Listening Skills

• Many people use their time at a salon or spa to "vent" or discuss current events, so it is important to develop good listening skills. Allowing your customer to talk helps them relax during their visit.