Do The Best Therapists Have "The Heart of A Servant"?
But I was particularly intrigued by what Jim Root, GM of Spa Operations for Sea Island Resorts in Georgia and the current chairman of the International Spa Association (ISPA). "You could bring me someone who's been a therapist for 20 years, with all the credentials in the world, but I'm not interested unless there's a spirit of service. Show me a brand-new graduate of some massage school who has the potential and the touch, not necessarily the depth of experience but the heart of a servant. I will hire him, teach him, coach him, mentor him."
I agree that's it's important to have a "spirit of service" but balked at "the heart of a servant." I wonder if my reaction is due to the fact that "servant" is not what most people aspire to be in this culture that celebrates success and high status. But do you think he's right? I'm especially interested to hear what the therapists out there think!
Comments
I agree wholeheartedly with what Jim Root said, good therapists should have the heart of a servant. While most massage schools do not teach that philosophy, it would be wise to consider it a priority. The heart of a servant is, after all, what hospitality truly means; and we in spa world are in the hospitality business.
Too often massage therapy schools produce therapists who come into the profession to make big bucks quickly. This is evident with many therapists in spa world. These therapists often burn out or injure themselves – why – because they want to make big bucks all the time without spending some of that hard earned money on therapy for themselves.
While I agree with Jim Root, I believe that therapists are the best mentors for therapists. I personally practice the philosophy of the heart of a servant – talking with interested therapists and students about topics of interest, value and benefit from over twenty years experience as a servant.
Many times though I’ve seen ego/pride become a stumbling block many therapists simply cannot step over…similar to your thought of the word ’servant’. Somehow that word has taken on a negative or lowly vibe and that’s a sad note about social structure. We are all servants in some way or another. When we embrace one another in the form of serving one another we can find no time to argue or fight because our main concern would be others’ wellbeing…what a world we would have if we all could embrace serving with such simple grace.
The Massage Therapists of tomorrow will need to have that heart of a contented servant, the ears of a patient psychologist, the hands of a steady surgeon and the spirit of a healer.
A heart of compassion, yes, servant no. I serve with a compassionate heart and have been for over 20 years. I agree with you, wording is askew. We are highly trained professionals many of us have Ph.D’s. We serve but are not servants per se.
I think the correct word would be service as opposed to servant. One of the words used in Websters dictionary for defining “servant” is master. My client is not my master, neither is my employer. However, one of the words used to define “service” is contribute–as in contributing to the welfare of others. That is a much more appropriate definition of what massage therapists do–contribute to the welfare/well-being of others.
I would agree with him if I read the intent correct. I see “heart of a servant” to be someone who cares and helps another. While I’m not religious, in many religions “to serve” is the ultimate achievement whether that is to their higher power or to another human. Having this caring, unselfish approach to massage therapy does, in my opinion, make a significant difference in the quality of the massage and treatment.
I do think that servant and subserviant are very different words that sometimes are used interchangably… which could clearly cause some discomfort with the association.
I would prefer someone with “the heart of a caregiver”. Servant implies to me that someone is forced to do someting -perhaps against their will.
…servant?….yes,the word is the turn off, and if you dissected the phrase
“heart of servant” harking back to the root “serve” it would be a lowly place indeed, the heart would more likely than not be one of careful resentment so not as to disturb “the master of the house”….might a well call a massage therapist a masseuse or masseur..a cosmotologist a beautician…flight attendent a steward/ess, same difference difference.
A massage therapist in this day, just as any other professional works in an environment of service. And if you are successful, you don’t have a JOB instead you have meaningful and fulfilling work….AND to be “at service” is a privileged choice.
Working in a spa setting is interesting to say the least, as I have worked in this milieu for the past 18 years. In this atmosphere, we are a 4 Star Resort Hotel and Spa “being at service” has been the KEY to our resounding success and being at service will continue to be the cornerstone of our success, we have the “Hearts of Champions” not servants Mr Root, therapist in the world of massage have had to deal with the mindsets of the ignorant population long enough…please do perpetuate this with with I hope was unintentional rhetoric.
I agree with comments 3 and 5. I’ve been a massage therapist for 12 years now, and I’ve always loved being there for people in a variety of ways. However, there are some clients out there thay may want a certain therapy when their body is not ready for it or is a contraindication. In such case, I feel a skilled therapist should be respected for their knowledge and expertise. I don’t feel it would be advisable to be a “servant” to the point of the clients detriment. We must “serve”… but we also must “guide” in a compassionate way with our clients utmost in mind. To me… that is the heart of a good therapist. =o)
First, “Luxury Spa Finder has an interesting article on therapist training in the current issue (September/October ‘07). I found out a few things I didn’t know. There are no national licensing requirements in Mexico or the Caribbean.” I live in Riviera Maya, near Cancun. You can request from the spa the credentials of the specific therapist who will be available. Many have studied extensively and have graduated from world-recognized institutes.
There is a semantic issue, as you noted, ” agree that’s it’s important to have a “spirit of service” but balked at “the heart of a servant.” I wonder if my reaction is due to the fact that “servant” is not what most people aspire to be in this culture that celebrates success and high status. But do you think he’s right?” That is not the whole story. I am an executive consultant writing a book called Dynamic Markets Leadership, where I emphasize the importance of Servant Leadership. You can read important information about this leadership style in the works of
*Greenleaf, Robert K., The Servant-Leader Within: A Transformative Path. Paulist Press: New York, 2003
*Jaworski, Joseph. (1998) Synchronicity: The inner path of leadership. Introduction by Peter Senge. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
When you first say the word servant it sounds a bit condescending, but once you get past the word, I totally agree with the meaning behind the word.I have found a snobism that comes with being a therapist, especially the more experience & training they have, regardless of whether they are any good or not. It’s more about them than about the customer, they have a list a mile long of what they won’t do, each therapist competes with the other on what they know & where they learned it,
each believes her or his hands are worth the most amount of money, there all an expert in not only massage, reflexology, reki, standing on there head etc. As A Spa Manager I care about one thing making the customer happy, if they like you I like you, nothing else about you matters.
Well said Miriam!!
I could not agree with you more. I also think what Mr. Root said is being taken so out of context.Chill guys…you ARE serving the clients,or at least you should be.
I’ve been in the bodywork business since 1982. I’ve worked all over the world with all kinds of therapist.
I agree what makes a great therapist is not necessarily the amount of training or school, but the connection they have to their own emotional body and their ability to touch the person heart. To be a conduit for spirit and universal love through you into the clients beings. Completely out of ego.
This is not something that can be taught. When you love what you do, and you can put the needs of another in front of your own, or the style of work your suppose to be doing.
Then you are a great therapist. This is the work of service.
Remaining open hearted and receptive.
The whole national certification has kind of deluded this way of thinking.
Heart + Soul= Loving hands
I was given a postcard years ago from a friend who visited a spa in Hawaii. The postcard shows a woman receiving a massage on the beach with beautiful sweeping fabric blowing in the breeze from the canopy.
I placed the postcard on my visor to remind me of my mission. I noticed when I look at the postcard I always associate myself with the women giving the massage not receiving.
When I hire I always look for people who are of the same mind set. Not that I don’t enjoy my treatments, I always do.
In monthly meetings I am always reminding our therapist to find a quiet space so they can center themselves in order to give 100% focus to what the client needs.
Debra Morra
Lavender Fields Day Spa
I think that the word “servant” is totally correct. I am in a business where I “serve” my clients. I keep an open mind and herat at all times. My clients’ well-being is a top priority to me. When my clients’ visit my spa I service their minds, bodies, souls, hearts, and spirits. I believe if we get away from the mentality that a servant is a slave then we all would be and become the better therapists.
being one of those (florida) lmt’s somewhat “fresh” out of the “factory” as some other therapists have commented, i must say that with over a decade of retail management under my belt, i have the drive that it takes to be what i’ve chosen to be. unfortunately, there are schools out there that treat this end of the customer servicing industry like any other part, such as fast-food chains, where ANYone and their mother can be trained to do mindless tasks (not to make light of those types of establishments, because i’ve known enough people in the food biz to have that appreciation of what they go through!), AND be underpaid, to say the least. i changed my career partly because i was told for years that i needed to be a massage therapist or a chef. but due to everything else going on in my life, i never acted on it till i found out i was pregnant. with priorities changing with a new family in the process of being formed, that, in essence, was my driving force: my child. ok, enough of the personal life stuff… it’s all about what a hiring company is looking for in ANY potential employee: drive, personality, goal-oriented, trainable, loyalty, promotable, positive/can-do attitude, and PASSION. so, in closing to my massively long point that i’m making, PASSION is the key word to ANY job! “the heart of a PASSIONate therapist” is what needs to be sought after. so with “passion” you will then have all else the ensues with having an employee that you will want to have with your company for years. lastly, whether the person is stepping out of the doors of a local massage school (or ANY school for that matter!), or starting their third decade in the biz, having a PASSION for WHATEVER you choose to do with your life, will make you, and in turn everyone else, including your place of employment, happy and complete. ok, i’m done now… i’ll step off the soapbox and leave it for another lmt out there who feels that they also have everything to offer the world WITHOUT being a “SERVANT” per se….
I would rather have a therapist with the heart of a caregiver. A servant can be abused and be ordered to do things that would be inappropiate for one who has professional status. Even finding a therapist with a good caregiver attitude, or one with a nice bedside manner is the real challenge.
I agree with comment 9 and 13 and to a certain extent 14. My point is that “SERVANT” is not at all a bad word. I am a religious person and I have been taught that to be a great Master, I must fisrt learn to serve. Many of us get caught up in our PhDs and think that it is all about us. That is pride my friends and pride is a killer.
We are to “serve” our clients with passion as #13 rightly says becuase it is only through a heart of passions and putting ourselves in the place of the client that we can do a great job. We should be in this business not for the easy or fast cash but because we love what we do. We love to bring out the best in people. We love to help them find themselves and take a moment away from the busyness of life. We should have the heart of a servant who does her work with passion because making her clients happy is what makes hewr happy.
Having a “servant’s heart” is the natural talent that those ‘born to be of service’ to others completely get. If the word “servant” creates a negative reaction it is an individual psychological reaction; meaning that the intensity of your natural desire to be of service to others is just at a lower scale than those that are in agreement and not offended by the use of the term. Number 9, 10, 13 & 16 are right on so I won’t repeat what was already said. I celebrate and salute all the “servant’s hearts” that are passionate about being of service to others.
I believe when you consider working as any type of beauty?holistic therapist, that you do so with a passion to help people feel better about themselves and not about the money.
… it’s all just a little bit of history repeating…
As a massage therapist and an amateur historian, I imagine how ancient peoples accomplished the task of tending to bodies, both the living and the dead.
One vocation of the ancients was mummification. This was a ritual which involved grooming a body for the afterlife. Cleansing, anointing, wrapping the body and making the preparations for this journey was serious business, sometimes taking months.
Other ancient cultures prepared their warriors for an adventure in the afterlife. Valhalle was a Viking warriors’ Heavenly battle ground, complete with feasts. When the warrior lost his battle with life there was a ritual including his armament of weapons, battle garments and such.
Still other ancient people tended to the needs of knights before battle. Cleansing the knight and his horse and dressing them in various layers of protective clothing and armor was ritualized. Then the knight would be anointed with herbs and oils.
But what does this have to do with massage therapy?
We massage therapists also tend to bodies, living bodies. What we call following a routine or spa protocol was once known as a ritual, a necessity, an honor. We cleanse the body with scrubs, anoint the body with special oils and wrap the body, allowing its own energy to bring about healing.
Current day, one might say we cleanse the body of the old, grooming it to battle a new day. Yes, it may be our job to scrub, apply oils, wrap and massage bodies, but what makes this vocation so fascinating are those people called to the ritual. It may not be religious, but rituals change the course of the work and its effect.
Although anyone could do a scrub, application, wrap or rub, not everyone can do this vocation as the ancient, celebrated, sacred ritual originally intended. Many massage therapists claim to be “called” to this work, just as people of old listened to the call.
I celebrate the calling. I celebrate the opportunity to share this ritual with others. I celebrate serving fellow humans. I celebrate the Creator.
…and if that classifies me as a servant following my heart, then so be it.
I think it is fabulous to see that in writing. As a Spa Manager, and a therapist for over 8 years, I interview and train therapists who seem to have half the heart and passion for the industry than I do. Schools are out there to teach massage, they don’t teach how much hard work it is, how to cater to a client or their needs. They see it as “what can you do for me”, now “what can I do for you or your business”. Passion can not be taught, it is something you must have for your career especially when it involves the public on such an intimate note.