The first thing sales manager Keith Dent did after learning he passed the test out process, was call his PAL, general manager Katelyn Rachfal, to share the good news.
“I had to call her first because she has motivated me since day one,” Keith recalled. “Katelyn is someone I consider a mentor, a sounding board and my biggest cheerleader. She also has held me accountable.”
PAL stands for personal accountability leader. The program started in January. The idea is for experienced managers to partner with a group of new associates to be another reliable resource. Personal accountability leaders work with associates through bootcamps and beyond. They are a line of support once an associate leaves a bootcamp and returns to their property.
“The program is amazing because you have someone that is a knowledgeable and believable resource that has been through what we are going through,” Keith explained to Loop. “Katelyn was a perfect fit for me because she is a motivator, but she holds me accountable to doing the right thing.”
Currently, more than 40 associates are assigned to a personal accountability leader like Katelyn. Each group has created a nickname for their team. Once bootcamps wrap up, they have group chats and other types of check-ins to support each other.
PAL’s assist with everything from role play to QUACKs. They also give feedback to help the development of new associates.
“I have taken huge pride in being a PAL,” said Katelyn. “It not only allowed me to teach and mentor other managers but It has also reinforced standards and served as a great refresher for myself.”
Katelyn said the call by Keith the moment he passed the test out process has highlighted her experience as a personal accountability leader.
“The biggest reward I could’ve received was a phone call like that one,” Kaitlyn recalled. “He called me before he called or told anyone else, even his mama. He had to call his PAL.”
Keith mentioned her accountability is something that motivated him between bootcamps, proving he could use what he learned while continuing to grow. Keith is hoping to one day pay it forward, with the goal to become a personal accountably leader himself.
“I would enjoy that,” Keith said. “Because of everything that was poured into me, I would like to give back to somebody else.”
What is your PAL success story? Please share it in the comment section or reach out to Loop.