Rogerian argument structure and persuasive techniques

Rogerian Dialogue

Rogerian Argument: A Letter to Coworkers

We both love our gym. It is like a second home for us, a sanctuary, a place we go to for rejuvenation, socialization, and relaxation. Without the gym many of us would not be healthy and we would fall into lethargic lifestyle habits. Those of us who have turned our passion in to a career take extra special pride in the gym environment. If we see an energy bar wrapper on the floor we pick it up and put it in the trash. If the washrooms are messy we alert the support staff. If a customer looks confused we ask if they need help finding or using the equipment. Therefore, I know we all care about our gym and want it to be a sanctuary for all our customers and all our staff.

I know many of you work hard. Sometimes you might forget to wipe up a machine you just demonstrated. You might neglect to stow your yoga or gym mats or exercise ball. If you get called away while eating lunch you might forget to return and throw away your energy bar wrapper or the cup from your smoothie. Sometimes the trash bin is overloaded and you are forced to leave something on the floor next to it. I am sure I have been guilty of leaving a mess every now and then so I'm not pretending to be perfect here.

But it's also ours. I have noticed that more and more of our staff is becoming careless about litter and about cleaning up after themselves on the equipment, in class areas, and in the locker rooms and sauna areas. Yesterday one of our staff members did not wipe up the machine after demonstrating it for a customer. The customer subsequently reported that staff member. These incidents can and will have an affect on our gym's reputation. We will lose business if word spreads that ours is an unsanitary or dirty gym. If you are about your livelihood as well as the quality of your gym, then please listen to what I have to say about keeping our space clean.

Cleanliness is the essence of health. When our bodies are clean we feel vibrant, alive, and healthy. One of the reasons we exercise is to purge ourselves of toxins that we are exposed to each day in the form of air pollution and chemical additives in food and drinking water. We come to the gym partly to detoxify. Our customers do the same. They deserve an environment that is as pristine as possible: So do we. If everyone cleaned up after themselves the entire gym would be a more welcoming, healthier place. Cleaning up after ourselves will make the gym more inviting for potential new customers, for existing customers, and for the staff. If we don't clean up after ourselves as a rule, we risk losing our jobs and we risk compromising the reputation of the entire company.

I know that we were not hired as cleaning staff. We were hired for our special skills either as teachers, personal trainers, sales, customer support, or reception. I know that our in-house cleaning staff is competent and well-trained. If an area is messy they will soon arrive to clean it up. That is their job.