How can you act as a positive role model for the work team in a restaurant? 

 

Being a former worker in a restaurant, I can say that the work in a restaurant is really tough, I was all around in my working place back then. I was a cook, I was a dishwasher, I was an assistant, and someone who also supervises the work of my colleagues. It's best to create a positive impact by showing or making yourself as a positive role model within the restaurant because it's really important to keep the vibe within it.

Here are six ways you can create a positive work environment being a Role Model in a Restaurant

1. Be with the Right People in the Restaurant

As a worker in a restaurant, you play a starring role in the culture of your organization, if you want your venue to be a place where people enjoy coming to work and display a good and positive outlook, then it's important to be with the right people. Be with the people who are friendly, easy going and team players (this includes all FOH, BOH, and management staff members). Lead by example, if your employees see you as open, receptive and on their side, staff morale will be higher and any pending issues will be easily solved.

2. Break Bread with Your Employees

Offer your co-employees in a restaurant create a free pre-shift meal and eat with them. This doesn't need to be elaborate, but it should be enough to keep your staff fueled and well-nourished for the next eight plus hours. A nice meal will ensure your staff have enough energy to last throughout their shifts, and enable them to maintain a positive attitude- after all no one wants to be served by a 'hangry' person!

3. Encourage Positive Thinking

Studies show positive thinking helps to lower stress, negativity, and depression. For example, you could start each pre-shift meeting by going around the room and having each staff member list three things they are grateful for. This will help everyone appreciate what they already have, and start each shift on a positive note. Another idea is to select one employee every week to find an inspirational quote, and hang the quote up in a high traffic employee area. By encouraging your employees to think positively you will help them be happier, healthier people - both inside and outside of the workplace.

4. Build Meaningful Dialogue

Start each day by greeting every employee you see, and take the time to learn about their backgrounds, interests and outside of work activities. Ask questions about specific things, such as, "How are your daughter's piano lessons going?" or "What classes are you taking this semester?". By engaging in meaningful conversation and remembering aspects about your employees' lives, they will feel respected, cared about, and important. In turn, when they are dealing with hardships (in or outside of the workplace) they will be more inclined to come to you for advice, help, or as someone to talk to.

5. Motivate

Help your employees set their own goals and then take time each week or month to review their progress. For example, if you have a bartender who wants to earn more money, you can help them figure out ways to improve speed or service, thereby increasing their earnings. When you have your next meeting you can go over what worked and didn't work, and why. In addition, goal setting will empower your employees and they will view themselves as integral parts of the business operations, rather than a means to an end.

6. Gratitude, Gratitude, Gratitude

In everyday life it's common to say "thank you" for goods and services we get from people, so why should the workplace be any different? Appreciate your employees and thank them for what they do, after all, without your employees, customers would sit with empty plates and glasses and hospitality would be nonexistent. By saying, "Thank you" and "I appreciate you," you are acknowledging your employees' efforts, and in turn transforming the workplace into one where employees feel nurtured, happy, and respected. Gratitude doesn't cost you a dime, but you will earn substantially by making it an everyday practice in your business.

Ultimately, as a restaurateur you are the leader of your business. You can choose to make your establishment a positive place where people love to work, or allow it to be a negative one where mental health issues and substance abuse run rampant.