Leaders Help

The second leadership lesson that happened last week was observed in a local restaurant. I'll save the name of the establishment because where it happened isn't as important as what happened.

Our group of 10 was out to eat and the restaurant was not overly busy. The combination of a new employee, a team not working together and questionable leadership sets up a few lessons.

Here is what I learned from this restaurant observation:

Leaders Don't Let Their People Struggle

Our young waitress really struggled. She didn't seem to be overwhelmed with tables but she was struggling with handling the responsibility. The manager appeared to be trying to help her for awhile but then resorted to doing more walking around trying to smooth things over with our table and other tables being waited on by our waitress by telling jokes and stories all while the poor young waitress continued to struggle. Don't let your people struggle.

Leaders Set The Tone

The first alert to the attitude of the team working was when we asked if we could get a table cleared off after our assigned waitress disappeared and the bartender (who wasn't busy) said she wasn't a waitress and would find our waitress.

After about five minutes she did come out from behind the bar to wipe off the tables but this lesson isn't about her or our waitress (who was working the third shift of her lifetime).

This was a clear reminder that the leader of any team sets the attitude and leadership for their team. If we don't want the "it's not my job" attitude we have to be clear in what we do want. We set the tone for those we lead and also have to set the example and model what we do want.

Leaders Hope For The Best For Others

I hope the our young waitress gets better at her job and is given the chance, encouragement and training she needs.

I hope the manager leads, teaches, encourages and helps all of his employees be better, work together and the business prospers.

I hope we all lead, teach and encourage each other and those around us a little bit more today.