Leadership is Emotional

I am a Restaurant Guy...

and in our business leadership is essential to becoming a successful operator.

I read recently in a book a sentence that made me think. The author said "Leadership is Emotional." down deep I probably knew this, but I have spent so much time reading books and attending seminars and observing great leaders trying to be better leader. In all the technical knowledge that I have acquired I some how forgot this basic piece of emotion.

Our associates and peers feed off the emotion that we as leaders emit daily. The associates look for a few different things in the chaos of restaurant daily life.

1. Trust--The associates must be able to trust in the Manager on Duty and the organization to provide them with "being there in the time of need." They will literally fight for the restaurant against all odds if they know you have their back. Trust is the fuel that can carry the restaurant to higher sales and greater profitability. Without trust the associates revert to protection. This means that they cannot push the business because they think it will break.

2. Caring--Restaurant associates are some of the most giving, sacrificial people. They are generally big hearted and want to aid and assist any one in need. From their leaders they need to feel listened to and cared about. This type of emotional attachment has led to several miss placed relationship issues in our business for years and is not the appropriate way to care for associates. The part that is needed is to genuinely Care. Most times we cannot fix issues in the associates lives, but being a safe confidant or even good advise giver can gain connections and bonds with associates that will serve you for a long time.

3. Being a part of something bigger-- Most people react to the team dynamic and support global goals and standards of excellence. Leadership's job is to lead emotionally with Vision and Celebration of Achievements. The failure of several operators is to minimize the effect of the associates on the business. The truth is we get to be a part of something bigger because they achieve great results for us. Outline the picture and let them color it in.

Achieving an emotional connection will result in a more successful and profitable operation. We cannot let up on high standards and it is not about being friends. It is about knowing your associates and giving them the tools to run the operation. I have learned that Accountants and Servers do not look for or expect the same things out of their jobs, bosses, or lives. So please do not forget the emotional component of leadership in the Restaurant Industry.