The National Restaurant Association's Manage My Restaurant has articles in categories such as Marketing and Sales, Workforce Engagement, Food and Nutrition and Operations. Visit Manage My Restaurant here for this and other helpful tips.
To help
employees reach their full potential, leaders should clearly let workers know
what they expect. If your employees don't understand what you expect of them,
they won't have realistic goals or a path to grow in their positions. You can't trust and have faith in your team if they're not progressing over time. Setting
clear expectations ensures everyone is on the same page and working toward the
same mission.
Improve
communication and raise the performance level in your restaurant by trying
these strategies:
Establish good behaviors from the beginning.
Take time with each new hire to discuss exactly how you want things done; you'll reduce problems and frustration down the line.
“It is
important to be upfront from the get-go when setting expectations with
employees,” says Marilyn Schlossbach, executive chef and owner of five dining
locales along the Jersey Shore. “We always review the core values and
mission of the company with interviewees and new hires so that they truly
understand who we are and what we expect from our team members.”
Put things in writing. Eliminate
doubt by putting information into writing, and encourage employees to
thoroughly read manuals and handbooks. Documents serve as a point of reference
for everyone and offer quick guidance as well as black and white “proof” of
what you expect. Similarly, posting written notes from staff meetings can
reduce confusion over what was or wasn't said.
Make sure you’re as attentive to the rules
as you expect your team to be. All the talk of requiring people to be on
time or dress appropriately is useless if employees witness co-workers “getting
away” with improper behavior. Workers look at your actions as a guide, so
respond and model appropriately.
“Wavering
instills a lack of confidence in those being led,” says Dave Weir, CEO of the
Los Angeles-based firm Leadership Optimized. “It gives employees a
perception that the leader does not know what needs to be accomplished and
where to take the organization.”
Offer feedback. Don't assume your
employees know what they're doing is right or wrong. Positive feedback
encourages behaviors you want continued and lets employees know they’re meeting
your expectations. Constructive criticism pinpoints areas that need
improvement. Most employees want to do a good job, and your feedback is an
essential tool for making that happen. Don't put it off.
