Sports/Entertainment
Beating the odds
How Rick Salinas keeps his employees at Barona Resort & Casino upbeat in a down economy
By Erik Cassano
Smart Business San Diego | November 2009
Page 1 of 4
Rick Salinas is a positive leader.
Wrapped in that six-word declaration is a lot more weight than you might initially realize.
The idea of leading in a positive, upbeat fashion is nothing new. Managers like to encourage, employees like to be encouraged, and the need for positive reinforcement is even greater with the cynicism that has gripped work forces as the nation’s economy has faltered.
But to Salinas, the general manager of Barona Resort & Casino, positive leadership is about more than smiling, waving and small talk while in public. It’s even about more than dishing out bonuses and prizes to high performers.
To Salinas, positive leadership is a state of mind, a personal core value that he has made into an organizational core value at Barona. Salinas says the mental fortitude to overcome the negativity spawned by the current state of the economy starts with him, his leadership team and the examples they set.
“Always remain positive,” Salinas says. “People look to you as a leader, especially in difficult times. They need to hear that things are going to be OK and that you’re willing to remain upbeat. That doesn’t mean that you bury your head in the sand and pretend that there aren’t difficulties, but you need to also make sure you’re honest and open about the things that you can celebrate. Whenever you can, find the good things that are happening in the organization and talk about them.”
There is no magic bullet for staying positive. You need to make up your mind that you will promote the good news as much as you have to report the bad news. You have to communicate often, which includes allowing yourself to be accessible to your employees. And you have to set the example you want everyone to follow — and do it every day.
