Fueling Growth with Shannon Wilson, Enzymes, CyA Secrets

The Chemistry of Mentorship: What Pool Pros Can Learn from Shannon Wilson

In the pool industry, technical knowledge is only half the equation. The other half? Knowing how to develop and guide the next generation of pool professionals. Shannon Wilson of HH Hunt understands this balance better than most, having built a career that spans from maintaining swimming pools across multiple communities to conducting CPO certification classes from Maryland to Georgia.

When asked to compare mentorship to a pool chemical, Wilson's answer reveals everything about his approach to leadership and why he's considered one of the industry's top mentors.

Mentorship as Cyanuric Acid: The Power of Stabilization

Wilson's analogy is both unexpected and brilliant. When asked what pool chemical best represents mentorship, he didn't choose chlorine or algaecide—the obvious choices that directly solve problems. Instead, he chose cyanuric acid, the stabilizer.

I would say for me, I would say probably like cyanuric acid for being stabilized. Basically, being sure, like, you know, for instance, like chlorine, being stable and being consistent. And that to me is one of the biggest things about being a mentor, teaching and stuff like that is trying to be consistent, being stable and, you know, just basically being there. Protecting them at the same time, keeping them around.

— Shannon Wilson, Talking Pools Podcast

This perspective shifts how we think about leadership development. Just as cyanuric acid doesn't directly sanitize water but protects chlorine from UV degradation, mentors don't solve every problem for their team members. Instead, they create stable conditions where their mentees can be effective over time.

The stabilization effect means consistency in guidance, protection from industry burnout, and creating an environment where knowledge and skills can flourish without being constantly depleted by external pressures.

The Desert Island Test: Natural Leadership Instincts

Wilson's approach to leadership becomes even clearer when he describes how he'd handle being stranded on a desert island with his team and a swimming pool to maintain. His instinct isn't to do everything himself—it's to organize and ensure everyone has what they need to succeed.

Honestly, when it comes to that, when I see the pool, I just more or less there is the finger pointer. And so making sure like aces into places, basically. So everybody's going to have a job to do. And each job is very important. It means scrubbing the pool, scrubbing the walls, you know, somebody scrubbing the skimmers, the tile, checking the chemicals, following up with checking the chemicals, making sure everything's consistent.

— Shannon Wilson, Talking Pools Podcast

This reveals a crucial insight about effective pool management leadership: it's not about being the person who does everything, but about being the person who ensures everything gets done correctly. Wilson's role as the "finger pointer" isn't about micromanagement—it's about strategic coordination and resource allocation.

The Tools and Safety-First Philosophy

One of Wilson's most emphasized points throughout the conversation is the critical importance of ensuring team members have the right tools and understand how to use them safely. This goes beyond simple equipment—it encompasses knowledge, safety equipment, and the confidence to perform tasks correctly.

To me, it's very important because I want to keep not just swimmer safe, but I want to keep the people I work with safe. And so it's very important to that point. Make sure they have the right tools. Make sure they understand what they're using, handling, all that good stuff. We don't want somebody having a bad chemical reaction or, you know, worth a bit, you know, drowning or something like that because I didn't make sure everybody's doing their job correctly.

— Shannon Wilson, Talking Pools Podcast

This safety-first approach extends to regular spot-checking and follow-up. Wilson doesn't assume that once someone says they have everything they need, the job is done. He implements safety checklists and maintains oversight, understanding that in the pool industry, shortcuts can have serious consequences.

Learning Through Failure: The Growth Mindset

Perhaps most importantly, Wilson embraces a philosophy that many leaders struggle with: allowing people to fail and learn from their mistakes. This approach requires tremendous trust and patience, but it builds stronger, more independent professionals.

Wilson acknowledges that when people are "released to the wild," they're going to try to find what they think are better ways to do things. Rather than trying to prevent this entirely, he focuses on creating an environment where it's safe to fail and where learning from mistakes is encouraged.

This philosophy aligns with his cyanuric acid analogy—he's not trying to be the chlorine that solves every problem immediately. Instead, he's creating stable conditions where his team members can develop their own problem-solving abilities while being protected from the most serious consequences of mistakes.

The Science Behind Pool Enzymes: Innovation in Water Treatment

The episode also delved into cutting-edge enzyme technology, providing insights into how biological catalysts are revolutionizing pool maintenance. Enzymes target non-living organic contaminants like body oils, lotions, and sunscreen that chlorine alone cannot efficiently oxidize.

These specialized proteins work through a "lock and key" mechanism, breaking down complex molecules into simpler byproducts that are far less problematic for pool clarity. This means chlorine can focus on disinfection rather than being consumed by organic waste, reducing overall chemical demand and promoting clearer water.

Perhaps most exciting is the development of cyanuric acid hydrolase (CAH) enzymes that can break down CYA buildup—a persistent problem in many pools. While this technology requires careful application (including the use of reductants like sodium sulfite), it represents a significant advancement in addressing stabilizer accumulation.

Building Systems That Work Without You

The ultimate test of any mentor or leader is whether their systems and people can function effectively without constant supervision. Wilson admits this is one of the biggest challenges in the industry, and his approach focuses on thorough initial training, clear expectations, and creating accountability systems.

His method includes detailed safety protocols, regular spot-checks, and ensuring that new team members work alongside experienced staff until they demonstrate competency. Most importantly, he leads by example, never asking his team to do anything he wouldn't do himself or follow safety protocols he doesn't personally observe.

Practical Takeaways for Pool Professionals

Wilson's approach offers several actionable insights for pool professionals looking to improve their leadership and mentorship skills:

• Consistency over intensity: Like cyanuric acid, effective mentorship is about providing steady, reliable support rather than dramatic interventions.
• Tool verification: Don't assume team members have what they need—verify through regular checks and safety protocols.
• Embrace productive failure: Create environments where people can learn from mistakes without catastrophic consequences.
• Lead by example: Never ask others to follow protocols you don't personally observe.
• Focus on coordination: Your job as a leader is often more about ensuring the right person is doing the right job with the right tools than doing everything yourself.

The Future of Pool Chemistry and Management

As the industry continues to evolve with innovations like enzyme treatments and advanced testing equipment, the need for skilled mentors who can guide others through these changes becomes even more critical. Wilson's stabilizing approach to mentorship—protecting and supporting while allowing for growth and learning—provides a model that can adapt to new technologies and methods.

The combination of cutting-edge pool chemistry knowledge and solid leadership principles creates professionals who can not only maintain excellent water quality but also develop the next generation of pool care experts. In an industry where safety is paramount and technical knowledge is constantly evolving, having mentors who can provide both stability and growth opportunities is invaluable.

Shannon Wilson's insights remind us that great pool management isn't just about chemistry—it's about creating the conditions where people and processes can thrive consistently over time. Like cyanuric acid protecting chlorine from degradation, effective mentors protect their teams while enabling them to do their best work, creating a more professional, safer, and more innovative pool industry for everyone.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and HH Hunt Overview
• 05:30 Mentorship Philosophy and Chemical Analogy
• 12:15 Desert Island Leadership Test
• 18:45 Tools, Safety, and Team Management
• 25:30 Enzyme Technology in Pool Treatment
• 35:20 Training Challenges and Solutions