Kindness in Restaurant Leadership

People may not remember what you said.

But they’ll certainly remember how you treated them.

-In leadership, kindness matters.

-It’s more powerful than authority.

-It’s more lasting than commands.

-It’s more effective than pressure.

All in all, kindness in restaurant leadership matters.

11 WAYS EFFECTIVE LEADERS LEAD WITH KINDNESS

✦ Ask how your people are doing, then listen deeply

✦ Find daily reasons to give recognition

✦ Listen for the voices that speak softly. Encourage everyone to speak and be heard

✦ Put the human before the employee

✦ Stand up for your team, every time

✦ Make feedback a tool for growth

✦ Let people be their whole selves

✦ Celebrate small steps forward

✦ Respect the lines others draw. Honor boundaries.

✦ Stay present when storms hit. Stand tall, be calm and support solutions

✦ Reach out to your people before they ask

My biggest lesson as a COO?

Authority might get tasks done. But kindness builds loyalty that lasts. I wish I would

have learned it much sooner than later.

Your team won't recall every meeting. But they'll never forget:

— How you helped them grow

— The time you defended them

— When you noticed they weren't okay

Because that's what real leadership is about.

Not perfection. Progress.

Not control. Support.

Not power. Partnership.

Filled with love and a whole lot of heart.

12 HABITS THAT WILL EARN YOU MORE RESPECT.

These beat titles and credentials any day:

1) Take responsibility when you mess up

↳Admit your mistakes, apologize, and fix them without making excuses.

2) Admit when you don't know something

↳Say, "I don't know, but I'll find out" instead of pretending or guessing.

3) Stay humble, even when you succeed

↳Accept compliments graciously, but don’t act superior to others.

4) Hold yourself to high standards

↳Set goals, meet deadlines, and expect the best from yourself in any situation.

5) Speak clearly and directly

↳Say what you mean without hesitation, filler words, or unnecessary apologies.

6) Stay calm in stressful situations

↳Take a breath, lower your voice, and respond thoughtfully instead of reacting

emotionally.

7) Respect other people's time

↳Show up on time, keep meetings focused, and don’t make others wait for you.

8) Stand up for people who can't stand up for themselves

↳Support colleagues, friends, or strangers when they are being ignored or

disrespected.