New Year's Resolutions

As the year ends, most leaders will make New Year's Resolutions and set goals for their teams. I learned several years ago that focusing on less actually accomplishes more as a leader. I began selecting just one simple word as a resolution to communicate to my teams. For example: “Productive” became my one-word resolution. To be more productive in our work together, more productive supporting and coaching our people, more productive in our communities, and to be more productive in our family life, will produce growth for our business and all of us personally.

As hospitality professionals, I believe the One Word Resolution should be KINDNESS for 2026.

It’s kindness that creates respect. Kindness is not a personality trait. Kindness is a practice that’s built in small choices. Kindness is about how you listen. How you respond. How you own mistakes. How you keep promises. How you speak the truth gently. Kindness creates what every team needs: A space where people can think clearly, speak honestly, and do their best work.

As a leader, demonstrate consistent actions of kindness to set the example for your team:

• Listen without judgment.

• Share your experience.

• Make others feel seen.

• Connect with your people with genuine concern for their well-being.

• Offer help first.

• Speak the truth gently.

• Notice small wins.

• Own your mistakes.

• Give credit freely.

• Celebrate others’ wins.

• Keep your promises.

• Lift others up.

• Treat everyone with respect.

You build better performance with trust. And trust starts with kindness. Kindness isn’t what you say once. It’s what you repeat and display every day with your actions. Build your culture on kindness and you and your team’s performance will grow exponentially in 2026.

To learn more please reach out to me at david@therestaurantclinic.com.