.svg){kind=icon}
Every restaurant owner and general manager knows just how important it is to have a team that is energized. A team that is revving to go will always provide better customer service than the staff that’s doing minimal work as they wait to collect a paycheck. What really sets these two teams apart? Leadership. It’s your responsibility to create a work environment that’s positive and fuels a high-energy culture.
What a High-Energy Culture Look Like?
A high-energy culture is when leaders and managers approach their work and employees with a “can do” attitude. Leaders realize the power they have to influence those around them and the success of their restaurant by behaving in a manner that reflects their positive personal beliefs and values. In high-energy cultures, employees feel more strongly connected to the business’s purpose and goals—and that’s all a result of how leadership shows up day after day.
Ways to Create a High-Energy Culture
There are several steps you can take to create a workplace culture that generates energy.
Set a high standard. Let your employees know what you expect of them. Do not settle for just going through the motions. Let them know that you want excellent customer service, food prepared at top-quality standard, and stations spotless to name a few examples. Then as leaders, be sure that you also perform at your best reflecting those same standards you set for your staff.
Communicate effectively. For any relationship to flourish, there needs to be communication. Leaders need to let staff know of any changes, such as hours of operation, procedure changes, or new safety rules. Leaders also need to communicate their own enthusiasm for the work. Words of encouragement and excitement will get the staff pumped for the day and ready to do their best.
Recognize good work. Don’t focus on the bad and only talk to your workers when they make a mistake. Try to focus on when an employee does a great job, like satisfying a difficult customer or managing a rush. Be sure to let that employee know you are pleased with their work. Also, shine lights on those successes so the rest of the team can see and emulate that same behavior.
Trust your employees. Not only is micromanaging exhausting, but it can also make your employees feel like they’re not adding value. Extend trust. Believe that once you give your employees instructions that they’ll follow through. Showing them you respect them and see them as a capable member of the team goes a long way. It will also help them build trust and respect for you.
Create a positive work environment. Try to eliminate as much stress as you can from the job. Though you can’t entirely remove all stressors from every job, you can simplify processes, uphold tidiness standards to free workstations of clutter, and implement safety protocols. Also, encourage laughter and friendly banter. Work is more fun with both.
Foster community. Try to create a team-like organization. Unite your employees around shared business goals. Let them know how they can contribute to the company's success and let them know when benchmarks have been reached because of their hard work.
Help them grow in their career path. Think of ways that your employees can be challenged on the job and learn new skills. Keep in mind that many of your employees view their job as a stepping stone in their career path, so be a leader that offers assistance instead of creating barriers.
The Benefits of a High Energy Workplace Culture
You might think that a lot of work goes into creating a high-energy workplace culture and that you don’t have the time or energy because you have a restaurant to run. But high energy is profitable. You already put a lot of effort into starting your business and you want it to flourish. Investing effort into the work environment you create has benefits that far outweigh the time and work you put into creating that environment.
Increased Recruitment
With an improved culture that has those already working there happy and excited to come to work, your effort when it comes time to bring on new staff will be easier. Your employer branding will have a good standing and those working there will recommend family and friends to join the team.
Improved Retention
There are a lot of options for people in today’s tight job market. If they do not like the job they are currently working at, they can easily go down the road and find another job. So, a positive, energized work environment that keeps them engaged just motivates them to return to you for their next shift instead of going online to look for another employer.
Higher Profits
Simply put, happy, energized workers make happy customers. When staff feels appreciated and enjoy coming to their workplace, it reflects in the service they provide to the customer or their performance in the back. And when customers have a great experience at your restaurant, they are more likely to return and recommend you to friends and colleagues.
Final Thoughts
Positive, energized staff will have your best interest in mind when they hit the timeclock and start working. Being a high-energy manager or business owner shows your staff that you walk the talk. Your own actions can not only improve your recruitment effort but will also motivate the staff you have now to work harder and smarter for you, growing your business in the process.
