Strength Beyond the Studio: How The Bar Method Shaped My Leadership Style

I started taking Bar Method classes in 2011 after two new friends convinced me to buy a Gilt City deal. The flagship Marina studio was just a few blocks from my new San Francisco apartment, and despite being nervous, it seemed like a great way to bond with the girls and meet new people. 

This turned out to be a life-changing decision: the friends who invited me are now some of my closest, the community I found was stronger than I could’ve ever imagined (and is still near and dear to my heart), and The Bar Method helped me fall in love with fitness for the first time. I loved it so much I became an instructor in 2014.

Teaching felt like a big leap. The Bar Method, then still under founder Burr Leonard’s guidance, was known for its strict formats, challenging routines with precise choreography, and class rules. While I knew it would push me out of my comfort zone, I didn’t realize how much it would shape me as a leader. Fast-forward to today, and the incredible impact of my experience is still clear. Here’s where I see it.

Patience & empathy

Teaching Bar Method requires a lot of patience. Every student is different, and each has their own level of experience and pace. Some new students get the moves quickly, while others need more guidance. Some are far ahead in one area, such as flexibility, but struggle in another, like strength. I found mixed-level classes the toughest to teach—wanting to provide enough instruction and guidance for new students while balancing a more difficult set of exercises with challenge options for seasoned students.

There’s a lot to take away here, but I’ll sum it up by saying that patience—especially when paired with empathy—has made me a better leader. In the workplace, not everyone learns (or moves) at the same speed, and that’s okay. Some people need more help at times, or they might be going through something personal that affects their work. Others need and want to be pushed and challenged. Being able to be patient with their growth and show I care has helped me build stronger relationships and a more supportive team.

Clear communication

Teaching a fast-paced class like The Bar Method, I didn’t have the luxury of explaining things over and over again. I had to be clear and concise with both my instruction and corrections, as students were focused on getting a move just right. I learned that how you say things while teaching matters just as much as what you say—and it makes a huge difference in how people respond.

This has been an important lesson in leadership, too. Clear communication is essential when working with a team. Whether I’m sharing the bigger picture, setting expectations, or giving feedback, making sure everyone understands exactly what’s needed helps avoid confusion. Getting straight to the point, keeping it simple, and making sure everyone’s on the same page—that’s how you build trust and keep things moving forward.

Motivation & intentional coaching

Effective instruction goes beyond just teaching the moves. It’s about understanding where each person is coming from, what their goals are, and what motivates them. In a Bar Method class, not everyone is there for the same reasons. Some are looking to build strength or lose weight, others want to improve flexibility, and some may just need stress relief. Getting to know my regular students and understand their goals helped me meet each person where they were.

For example, one student was recovering from a devastating car crash. If you would’ve dropped into a class without this context, you might’ve thought she wasn’t trying—after all, she was hardly moving! The reality was that her ability to stand up for an hour and pick up two one-pound weights was a major accomplishment. Another student had undergone a gastric bypass, and though she had reached a healthy weight, she still found some of the thigh exercises really tough on her previously overstressed joints. Without the backstory, I probably would’ve tried to push her more before offering modifications.

I also learned how people respond to different styles of motivation. Some students thrive on praise and encouragement, some have a tough time with receiving constructive feedback. Others want you to challenge them to do more and really push them to go further.

These learnings apply beautifully to leadership, and they’re foundational to my approach. Whether I'm guiding a team, providing counsel for a client, or mentoring someone, asking for context and understanding what drives each person helps me tailor my support in ways that resonate with them.

Striking the right balance

Balancing praise with suggestions for improvement can feel like an art form. Too much praise can lead to complacency, while too many corrections can make people feel discouraged or overwhelmed. At The Bar Method, we aimed to give three compliments and one correction per class section, encouraging students to work hard without feeling like they were being criticized too much. Compliments weren’t just fluff, either: they were specific observations phrased to highlight person-specific progress (know your students!) or acknowledge a great demonstration of the exercise we were doing—helping students feel seen.

I think about this often while leading teams and projects. If I only focus on correcting perceived mistakes, it can create an environment where people feel constantly on edge or under-appreciated. On the other hand, if I only offer praise without constructive feedback, it could prevent them from recognizing areas for growth. With balanced feedback—and taking the time to acknowledge how far someone has already come—people stay motivated, feel confident, and know where they can improve. You’ll know you’ve found a healthy balance when you see them excited to keep pushing themselves while feel appreciated along the way.

Awareness & adaptability

Every Bar Method class brings something different, and each student does too. Some days, the energy is high and everyone shows up ready to crush it! Other times, people come to class tired or they’re just not feeling it. Over time, I learned how to read the room and adjust my energy—and sometimes, my playlist and planned choreography—to match.

From day-to-day collaboration to meetings and new business pitches, being able to adapt on the fly has proven invaluable in an agency role, too. I’ve learned to tailor my approach and tone to a situation—whether that’s adjusting the amount of detail I share based on someone’s level of interest or finding ways to spark excitement. There have also been times when I’ve had to pivot on projects, shift timelines, or cancel campaigns and kill stories due to something unexpected. Just like in class, knowing when (and how!) to seamlessly shift gears can make the difference between a successful or frustrating experience.

Continuous learning

One of the reasons I fell in love with Bar Method is its focus on growth. As a student, there's always something to work on, and you can feel (and see!) your progress over time. As an instructor, there’s always a new cue to perfect or a technique to learn. This growth-centric mindset has extended into my leadership approach. It’s not just about being ‘good enough’—it’s about continuously learning and improving.

Whether it's working on fitness, learning a new language, or doing art, expanding your skill set is a great way to gain perspective and enhance your leadership qualities. Plus, it’s fun! Whenever I’ve made time for new or different things, I’ve returned to my routine feeling refreshed. I’ve also become more open-minded, creative, and confident.

Teaching Bar Method taught me that leadership isn’t just about managing people and projects—it’s about building relationships, clear communication, and continuous growth. A decade later, these lessons still extend far beyond the studio. If you meet people where they are, stay adaptable and curious, you’ll be amazed by how much you can grow—both as a leader and as a person.