How would you know? Look for voicing disagreements.

If no one ever disagrees with you

It might be because:

1. they are afraid to do so
2. they think you won't do anything to address the feedback
3. something else

It is highly unlikely that everything is 100% perfect.

A checklist for your leadership abilities

Fill this in and check your results below:

1. When was the last time a person voiced a disagreement with your teaching?
2. When was the last time a person told you a cue you teach may be unsafe, or you might be missing a cue?
3. When was the last time someone corrected a move you do or offered a better move? e.g. a student sharing a better warmup move.
4. When was the last time a student told you a class was “too easy”, “too hard”, “difficult” or “boring”?
5. When was the last time a student talked with you about enjoying similar class of another teacher? About another studio?

Ideally, you'd aim to receive at least one of the above feedbacks from each student monthly or every 2 months. If you receive feedback from say 80% of your students, but there's 1 or 2 that don't share, you may be missing an opportunity to improve.

How to ask for feedback?

1. After class 1:1 ask some folks: “was this class too easy or too hard for you?” make a note of who responded. I do this in the waiting room after class.
2. Talk about classes in other studios and benefits for trying multiple instructors – every instructor has cues that others don't. Encourage students to share those cues and ideas with you. This is information is gold in both building rapport, safety, and improving your instruction skills.
3. Designate a student you have rapport with, connect with them after class to ask for moves they like and things that were easy, hard and their experience with the class. You can ask them a variety of questions e.g. “is there any music that you'd like to hear?”, “do you have any feedback on warm-up or the rest of class?” and the like.
4. From time to time, every 6 months ask a question 1:1 from folks who've been to your classes often: “what are my blind spots?” Then just listen, don't defend, don't explain. At the end say “thank you” and write it down.
5. When talking with folks 1:1, tell them you talk with others 1:1 and “I've received some feedback about the class, wondering if you noticed the same issues”. This makes it easier to open up.

How to follow-up on feedback

Do this and folks will want to provide more feedback over time:

1. Thank people.
2. Tell them what you'll do with it. e.g. “I'll put it in a list, review it later, and implement it over the next few weeks”
3. Do what you said
4. Tell people that you did it. Thank them again. Address them by name.

Asking for feedback, doing it, and telling folks that you did it is how you get folks to trust you more. Be reliable.

Hope this helps! LMK what your tips are in the comments and what I missed!

Tips: 1. Inside hand grabs 2. Knee hook wrap 3. Bottom hand trigger finger 4. Slide to horizontal 5. Kick butt, kick face

TODO: video Learn moves safer: Buy this card for $1

Students/Instructors: how many of these does your studio check?

For Students

Instruction

1. Quality and safe instruction
2. Lots of instructors to choose from. Every instructor adds something new!
3. Safety: Full warmup and cooldown
4. Trained instructors on spotting and safety

Space

1. A room always available for open pole
2. Floor sanitized between every class
3. Crash mat for every pole
4. 1 pole per student.
5. Enough space between poles
6. Water faucet/fountain/bottle
7. Random snacks
8. Inviting for pole and dance
9. Mirrors with option to be covered.

Website

1. Easy to use booking system
2. Membership/class packs

Classes

1. Multiple classes, multiple nights a week for each level
2. Class diversity: tricks, flow, floorwork, heels, strength, stretch, dance.
3. Private lessons offered
4. Virtual classes
5. Well-defined progression system
6. Showcases
7. Competition prep/feedback classes
8. Morning/lunch/after work classes
9. Photoshoots

Community

1. Respects sex work as origin of pole dancing
2. Sense of community
3. Focus on self-love
4. Free pole jam monthly
5. Strong policy about body positive, inclusive, and welcoming

For Instructors

1. Predictable and encouraging pay. See 2018's post How I pay Pole Dance Instructors. TL;DR; $40 to start, $50 after a year, $60 after 3 years. Bonus for 6 students +$10, for full class +$20. $20 per yelp/google review mentioning instructor name. That means an instructor in 2018 with 3 years of experience in San Francisco could make $80/full class. For privates, instructors would earn $50 if the studio organizes it, or pay the studio $20 for the private room and organize with the client whatever price they set.

2. Instructor perks – if teaching 3 classes/week – unlimited membership. Otherwise, 50% off.

3. Instructors are classified as employees

4. All instructors are covered under the studio's general liability insurance policy.

Did I miss something? Add a comment.

References: A Year in Review What should your dream pole studio be like? Inspiration for opening a pole studio! Space only pole studio How I Pay Pole Dance Instructors Word of mouth.

I like spreading knowledge about pole moves, dance, and sharing my experiences as a male pole student and teacher.