Leadership Development

Frustrated With Your Direct Reports?
This one is for the Seasoned Leaders; if you've got a manager or multiple leaders who report to you, I have thoughts today.  I'm noticing a trend in some of the leadership around me; Seasoned Leaders are forgetting the steps it took them to get to where they are. They're frustrated with the learning managers, and feeling like they should know more and behave differently than they do.  When this comes up, I like to explore a bit and ask how the Seasoned Leader is dealing with this. What are... Read more...
Restaurant Leadership Starts with "Why"
This post is for the "Rising Stars" as I like to call them, or those of you who are considering moving into leadership for the first time or who have been recently selected to be promoted. Although, Managers or Directors with Rising Stars under them will also benefit as you're charged with developing these impressive people into capable and confident leaders with the right skills and knowledge.  Restaurant or frontline leadership isn’t for the faint of heart. It's a big commitment with long hours, high levels of responsibility especially to... Read more...
Mind Your Impact as a Leader
Dear Restaurant Stars,  It's been a week in the leadership development arena, let me tell you. People are stressed, and it's bringing up some things.  Employees are feeling the pressure of the economy, with rising gas prices making it harder for some folks to get to work each day. Here in New England, everyone is sick of the snow and are itching to get to warmer weather and be outdoors. People are getting snappy with each other over small things, and honestly I get it. Here's what I'm seeing with... Read more...
How to Grow Your Hospitality Leadership Career
Most hospitality workers aren't shown how to grow into leadership, we are just expected to figure it out.  I say "we" because that was me, too. I was 21 years old, and while my company did an excellent job training me how to place orders, adhere to food safety protocols, write schedules, and follow recipes... it did not prepare me for true leadership or even managing people. Here's a simple roadmap for you to preview what you actually need to know when deciding if hospitality leadership is for you: Learning... Read more...
Checklists and Charts and Systems, Oh My!
Restaurants struggling to find foothold with accuracy, teamwork, timing, or quality often need a systems upgrade. Checklists are an easy way to start making expectations clear and teaching accountability in a structured document. I learned this lesson early when I was 21 years old and promoted to management. I was sent to fix a location in my organization in a location where takeout sales were declining due to operational issues. Guests were routinely receiving incorrect or incomplete orders and had long wait times for food or service. I had not... Read more...
The One Where I Teach You How to Minimize Callouts
How to minimize the amount of employees calling out in your restaurant. Restaurant Managers have a tough enough job without adding in the stress of staff callouts, especially last-minute.  Here's a framework for how I deal with callouts in a way that actually works and builds respect on your team. Read more...
Free Resource for Restaurant Managers
Free Resource for Restaurant Managers
Free resource for restaurant managers to print and fill out to teach standards in operations.  Read more...
Knowledge Resources for Your Team: What to Post and How
For restaurant managers, having resources available to your employees can improve consistency and the quality of their workplace. What should be available to them, how to post, and download a free checklist to get started building a resource library. Read more...
Best Practices for Training New Restaurant Employees
Some foundational training best practices to help reduce turnover in your restaurant. Read more...
Why Pursue a Career in Restaurant Management?
Why Pursue a Career in Restaurant Management?
Restaurant management is a challenging path, but so rewarding for those who love leadership and want to curate a great workplace for their employees. If you've ever considered pursuing a... Read more...
Why Teaching Leadership in Restaurants is Rare, and Why it Matters
Why Teaching Leadership in Restaurants is Rare, and Why it Matters
Restaurants often promote their best employees into management roles, but many new managers are never taught how to lead people. Leadership focused solely on operations, compliance, and training is just... Read more...