Growth is both exciting and can be a real challenge. Effective leadership training can be kryptonite or your secret weapon for driving and sustaining growth. Many restaurants make mistakes that can hinder their success – we see it all the time. Here are some pitfalls (or sinkholes) to avoid and clear the way for your best year yet!
Mistake #1: Don’t Settle for Incomplete Manager Training
Leadership training is an ongoing journey that equips your managers with the skills and confidence they need to lead during a growth period. It’s crucial to clarify the difference between managing and leading: we manage tasks, but we lead people. Comprehensive training programs, like those offered by EyeSpy, incorporate both leadership skills training (such as communication and leading by example) and task training (how to perform specific operational tasks). This dual approach ensures your management team is well-supported and structured.
Mistake #2: Don’t Neglect Ongoing Coaching
Don’t assume that initial training is enough. Emphasizing the importance of continuous learning is essential for growth. Demonstrating a commitment to ongoing education, even at an advanced stage in one’s career, highlights that learning is a lifelong journey, crucial for both personal and professional development. To keep leaders engaged and continually growing, it’s beneficial to find innovative ways to inspire them. For instance, taking your team offsite for activities like wine tasting or other educational food related activities can create an environment of ongoing growth. While your managers might be dedicated, their performance can plateau without ongoing coaching and developed systems. EyeSpy emphasizes personalized coaching that enhances individual leadership skills and management styles.
Mistake #3: Don’t Fail to Set Clear Expectations
One critical aspect of leadership training is setting clear expectations. A common mistake is failing to ensure that managers understand their roles and the organization’s goals. EyeSpy’s training programs focus on building a unified team where everyone is aligned and working towards the same objectives.
Mistake #4: Don’t Underestimate on Organizational Systems
Practical leadership training also involves implementing robust organizational systems. Neglecting this aspect can lead to chaos and inefficiency. These systems provide the framework for your managers to operate efficiently, ensuring that your restaurant runs smoothly even during periods of rapid growth. EyeSpy offers both one-time seminars and ongoing support, providing flexibility to choose what best suits your needs. They share training methods and organizational systems, helping create a sustainable structure that supports your long-term goals.
Mistake #5: Don’t Overlook Personalization
Every restaurant is unique, and so are its managers. A significant mistake is adopting a one-size-fits-all approach to leadership training. It’s crucial to recognize that how people learn is just as important as what they learn. Everyone needs to understand the same operational tasks, but learning styles—whether visual, reading, or hands-on—can significantly affect a leader’s ability to grow if not engaged correctly. At EyeSpy, we cover learning styles to ensure that clients can adapt their training materials to accommodate different ways people learn. This approach empowers every manager to assess their team’s needs and implement strategies that are effective for their specific learning preferences, driving collective success.
Mistake #6: Don’t Focus Solely on Company Goals
While achieving your company’s goals is crucial, it’s a mistake to overlook the importance of bettering the individuals who work for you. When your managers are well-trained and supported, they can lead with confidence and clarity, inspiring their teams to think critically and passionately about the business as a whole. When the whole team is contributing ideas for growth, true magic can happen. At Oren’s Hummus Wine Wednesdays, Wellness Partnerships and many other promotions were suggested by servers and the managers had been trained to listen and pass along great ideas!
Avoiding these common leadership training mistakes is essential for driving and sustaining growth in your restaurant. Investing in comprehensive, personalized training programs will help your managers develop the skills and support they need to lead effectively.
