CHEFS – ARE YOU READY TO “BE THERE”?

The Olympics are always inspiring. This year, something very special became evident – we observed that commitment and joy can coexist. Of course, every Olympian must be excited and happy to represent their country even though the work to get there is relentless and all-consuming. What I (we) noticed this year was a somewhat different approach towards this sacrifice and commitment. Maybe, like many others, I have been caught up in the magnetism of Alysa Liu, but I sensed it in other athletes as well. The difference was this intent for athletes to truly “be there”. It was a realization that the hard work and “hard to imagine” dedication should also be enjoyable. There was also the understanding that if you want to truly win, you can’t have joy without the hard work, and the hard work means nothing without the realization of joy in doing it. Olympians like Alysa (speed skaters, alpine and Nordic skiers, jumpers, bobsledders, lugers, skaters, and hockey players) are there, full strength to do the work necessary to master their craft, and they are fully there to revel in the joy of what they are able to offer. The recognitions are wonderful, but the process and self-awareness are truly what it means to win.

         Now, this same attitude can and should be applied to nearly everything worth reaching for in life. In the case of chefs and chef/restaurateurs it means that success (winning) is a result of incredibly hard work, time and commitment to a pursuit of excellence and a no holds barred approach towards enjoying the process. If you aren’t willing to put in the work – then why take the leap and if you can’t enjoy the process and what you are able to accomplish, then why are you doing it? As has been said many times – life’s too short…

         So many times, I have felt the crush of failure, of watching chefs open restaurants without the willingness to “be there” without question and witness their angst and even anger at what is required. This, of course, leads to negative feelings, questions about life direction, poor business performance, and a lack of joy. If you’re not there through the good, the bad and the ugly then why do it? I guarantee, that those who are not willing to “be there”, will fail to be winners. So, what does “being there” mean?

[]       PHYSICAL PRESENCE

Sure, this can impact other aspects of your life, but if it’s your business then your presence, full mental, physical and emotional presence, is required. Be the example and the resource. Show up as the visionary, the standard bearer, and in some cases – the problem solver. You should relish the chance to be there with your team, doing the work that you have dedicated so much time to mastering.

[]       TRAINING AND SETTING STANDARDS WHEN NOT PRESENT

Okay, everyone needs a break from physically being there, but you cannot ever step away until you have established standards that everyone buys into and trained them to do the work, act the way you expect, and achieve the results necessary to be a winner. This training and these standards must be locked in and on-going. True winning demands it and the experience of joy depends on it.

[]       UNDERSTANDING

You must know what’s going on. Why your guests act a certain way and why you employees do as well. This requires active observation and serious listening. It also requires that you act on what you see and hear. “Being there” is reserved for those who pay attention.

[]       IF YOU’RE NOT SERVING THE GUEST DIRECTLY THEN SERVE THOSE WHO ARE

Being there does not mean that you must carry the weight of every detail or have all the answers. Being there requires that through training you are willing and able to delegate responsibility, trust those who are given the chance to carry some of the weight, and excited to share in their success.

[]       ENCOURAGE AND RALLY THE TEAM – BE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE

If your staff is not excited to see you walk through the kitchen doors then you have missed the opportunity to “be there” and encourage joy. Your peeps will smile if they know that you are there for them, always willing to share in the work and share in the joy, anxious to listen to them, and trusting in their own performance. Measure your effectiveness in the smiles of your staff.

[]       CELEBRATE SUCCESS

Joy and celebration go hand in hand. Celebrate the small stuff and the large accomplishments as well. Celebrate individuals and teams and do so often and sometimes without planning. Be spontaneous, say thank you, cheer them on, shake their hands, give out high fives frequently, and spread the word that this is a place where we enjoy what we do and whom we do it with. This is what “being there” means!

[]       START THE CYCLE OVER AGAIN

Being there is an everyday, constant opportunity to reinvent enthusiasm for the process, celebrate hard work, and radiate the same kind of joy we saw in our Olympic athletes. Embrace what we saw and use that energy to find real success.

PLAN BETTER – TRAIN HARDER

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