Tae Kwon Do Times — January 2018

36 January 2018 / taekwondotimes.com

work through language barriers. Even though

they have come from opposite sides of the world,

many of our staff have become lifelong friends.

TKDT: With fi ve locations, how

much variation is there in the

daily operation of each school?

GM Chong: We have developed documents,

checklists, and training procedures to make the

World Class experience similar in each one of

our schools. However, our goal is not to create

“robots.” I want each instructor to teach our

system with their voice and personality. One

of my favorite experiences each year is hearing

students from all fi ve of our locations tell me

how much they love the staff at their school.

TKDT: You have mentored dozens

of your former staff who have gone

on to operate their own successful

schools. What is your core principle

for developing staff to be successful

when they go out on their own?

GM Chong: First, I have always believed that

there will come a time when everyone of our staff

will have grown to the point when they will need

to move on in order to maximize their potential.

So I chose to embrace that reality and let my

staff know that my goal is to help them to reach

theirs. I encourage them not to rush and to learn

our system thoroughly. However, when they are

ready with both knowledge and confi dence, I

support them on moving forward. Th eir school

is their own, and they are free to operate it as

they choose. Yet, our system always serves as the

backbone for what they do because it has been

proven to work in cities throughout the U.S.

Our alumni staff also know that we are here for

them once their school is open as well, and that

they can come to me with questions or even

their own innovations. In this way, the World

Class Tae Kwon Do family benefi ts all of us.

TKDT: What do you think about

the future of Tae Kwon Do?

GM Chong: I strongly believe that society

needs us. Tae Kwon Do is one of the best

ways to teach character development and to

cultivate respect for others. However, society

also will demand that our facility and service

be modern and professional. As a result, schools

that get results for their students and who also

embrace new ideas will continue to thrive.

TKDT: What do you say to Tae

Kwon Do masters who would

like to duplicate your success?

GM Chong: I would emphasize four

things: Be passionate, be detailed,

develop a team, and never stop

learning. Passion is the ultimate

attraction. Students and staff want to

follow someone who believes in and

loves what they do. Being detailed

comes from constantly asking “how can

we do this better?” It also leads you to

develop tools that assist in developing

staff. Regarding staff , you absolutely

must fi nd and collaborate with others

who are skilled in areas that you are

not. Every great success is the result of a

team eff ort, and if you invest in a team,

the return will be tenfold. Finally, we

all know that information is available

like never before. Take advantage of