The Heart of Hospitality: Cultivating a Thriving Workforce
Creating a positive and supportive work environment is key to making your employees feel connected, motivated, and loyal as well as being happier and more productive in their roles.
And when your employees are happy and productive, your customers will be too!
But how do you foster team spirit in your hospitality team? How do you create a positive and supportive work environment where everyone thrives?
In this article, we’ll share some best practices to increase hospitality team spirit, reduce employee turnover, and provide excellent customer experiences. So if you’re looking for ways to create a more positive and productive work environment, keep reading!
Leadership: The Foundation of a Strong Hospitality Team
Strong leaders are integral to a strong team spirit. They have the know-how to clearly communicate the team’s vision and mission. They set the tone for the team through a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration. They have a knack for motivating and inspiring team members to achieve challenging goals. And they understand the importance of recognizing and rewarding their crews’ accomplishments.
Just as a house can’t stand without a solid foundation, a hospitality team can’t flourish without strong leadership.
But how can hospitality businesses find and utilize good leadership?
Whether you’re looking to hire a new employee or recruiting one from your existing team, you’ll need a strategic approach and a clear understanding of the qualities you’re seeking.
Identifying Leaders Internally & Beyond Your Doorstep
When identifying potential team leaders make a list of the key qualities you are seeking.
Look for individuals who:
- consistently demonstrate a positive attitude
- a strong work ethic
- problem-solving skills
- and effective communication skills
These are core leadership qualities that contribute to creating a team who can provide a high-quality customer experience.
While promoting from within is an excellent strategy, you may not want to limit your leadership search to your current team. In this case, try expanding your search through industry networks, online platforms, recruiters, educational partnerships, and employee referrals.
That said, don’t overlook the potential of your existing team members!
For example, have you ever noticed a server who handles chaos like a pro? That’s your potential manager in the making.
Once you’ve identified potential leaders, provide them with opportunities to further develop their leadership skills and set them up for success.
For example:
- ask them to lead projects or teams
- pair them up with experienced mentors for guidance and support
- and offer training and development opportunities to help them hone their leadership skills
These strategies help potential leaders grow their confidence, get hands-on experience, and build the knowledge they need to lead others effectively.
Developing Future Leaders And Helping Employees Grow Through Mentorship
Mentorship has a way of naturally boosting team spirit as mentors and mentees learn from each other, support each other, and inspire each other. It’s a powerful tool for encouraging all team members to grow within the company by helping them to identify and develop their strengths, and to overcome their challenges.
Moreover, building a strong mentorship program can contribute significantly to employee retention, which is especially valuable in such a competitive market.
Consider implementing a structured mentorship program that addresses the specific challenges and opportunities within your niche of the hospitality industry.
Here are some best practices you can follow to to promote mentorship within your business:
Keep It Organized
A structured mentorship program is like a well-crafted menu—it’s easier to navigate. Regular check-ins? Think of them as a chance to discuss real challenges, like handling a packed bar or managing the intricacies of a fully-booked restaurant.
Tailoring Mentorship Goals to Hospitality Career Paths
Set goals that align with the career paths within your business. If someone is eyeing a jump from waiter to manager, guide them through the ropes of inventory juggling, staff scheduling, and mastering the art of customer relationship management.
Communication Is King
Encourage mentees to talk about their challenges, whether it’s managing a rowdy customer at the bar or resolving a behind-the-scenes kitchen clash.
Recognize Wins, Raise a Glass
Recognition is the cherry on top, so be sure to celebrate wins! For example, showcase how a mentee’s journey from a junior chef to a sous chef contributed to the culinary excellence of your restaurant and elevated its reputation among the foodie crowd.
And remember, when you invest in your crew, you’re investing in the success of your entire business!
Sink or Swim? No Thanks. Invest in a Comprehensive Training Program for Your Hospitality Team
Launching your team into the deep end with a ‘sink or swim’ approach is a recipe for disaster. That’s why having a comprehensive training program isn’t a luxury–it’s a necessity. It’s the difference between an average team and a group of professionals delivering excellence every night.
A robust training program acts as a crystal ball, revealing possible weaknesses or hurdles that might crop up. For instance, during training, if a server struggles with the point-of-sale system, it’s flagged early, and additional support is provided before it becomes an issue during a busy service.
At RMD Group, we have a structured training schedule that begins at New Hire Orientation and is supplemented throughout their entire tenure. Our training program isn’t just a mere checklist. It says we want our team not just to succeed but to climb the ladder.
A chef who started as a line cook and now runs the kitchen? That’s the power of an effective training program.
When you’re creating your training program, be sure that each step is laid out for each position and includes all the materials needed to support and educate the new employee.
It’s essential that every bar, restaurant, and nightclub manager is trained to be able to follow the training schedules, provide strong leadership and a high-quality introduction to your company’s policies and procedures. So, ensure your program not only hones their expertise but also turns them into leadership champions.
Be sure to read Future-Proof Your Hospitality Business with Continued Education to get an extensive look into RMD Group’s recipe for training success and get some ideas to develop your own program.
Valuing Employees With More Than Money
When we started the RMD Group, we were already a tight knit crew. Our management and employees consisted of previous colleagues and people from within our industry network. But as our company started to grow, it became increasingly obvious how important employee satisfaction was.
For us, it wasn’t good enough to have low turn-over rates. We wanted to create a family, with people who LOVED their job.
Here are a few tricks we’ve learned to keep your hospitality teams’ spirit high and your staff passionate about their work:
Team Outings
Imagine a work crew that’s not just tight during working hours but are also partners in crime outside the workplace. Try organizing team outings – a day at Petco Stadium cheering on the Padres, a beach BBQ bash, or tour other cool spots in the neighborhood.
Contests
Inject some friendly competition into the mix. Who can sell the most wine this month? Long weekend coming up? See who can book the most bottle service tables. Need a social media boost? Initiate a contest for the Instagram crown. And trust us, when it comes to prizes, cold hard cash tends to make the biggest splash!
Awards
Remember how good a gold star felt in elementary school? It turns out adults appreciate them too.
Each year at RMD Group, we unveil the “Rookie of the Year.” It’s not just a pat on the back; it’s an engraved plaque on the wall of fame that’s become a tradition–and everyone wants a shot at the coveted title!
Perks, perks, perks!
One of the easiest ways to show your staff you care is to offer perks. You don’t have to give away the house, but a good employee discount can go a long way.
And, keep in mind that perks don’t have to be the stuff you give away…
It can also be the environment you create. Loving your job and the people you work with is definitely a perk and so is the opportunity to grow through continuous learning and mentorship! Create a company culture that facilitates this!
Looking for help creating a strong hospitality team?
As you’ve read, creating a thriving hospitality team is all about putting people first. It’s about investing in your employees, providing them with the tools and support they need to succeed, and fostering a culture where they feel valued, appreciated, and motivated to do their best work.
At RMD Group, we believe that your employees are the heart of your hospitality business. That’s why we’re passionate about providing solutions that empower your team to be the best that they can be.
Contact RMD Group today to discover how we can help transform your team into the hospitality heroes your business needs to thrive.