Dedication Over Distraction

I was at my daughters tumbling practice the other day. Usually, I take that time to catch up on emails. However, this particular day, I was looking around to all the other parents and we were all doing the same thing - staring at our phones. After her practice we she beeming with joy as we discussed all that I watched during practice. I was able to witness where she succeeded and what areas she needed to work on. She took a good fall trying to do a back handspring and she looked straight at me right as it happened. Since I was watching I was able to give her a thumbs up and she went right back to trying her hardest.

This got me thinking… How many times, as leaders, do we have our heads down focusing on the logistical items (emails, spreadsheets, admin duties) that we don’t look up at our employees? After all, the employees are the ones working hard to make sure our businesses succeed. Don’t get me wrong, I know all the admin and big picture tasks are very important to keep us operating. But what if we took 10% out of our day to watch. To listen. To celebrate our employees wins and to be there to coach them when they fall. What if a restaurant server witnessed you watching as a customer complimented them on excellent service? Or what if a guest scooted their chair out right as they were carrying a tray full of waters only to make them spill? We could be there to say wow great job on that service! Or rush to their side and help them clean up the mess. We could truly be there, and we can learn where they need more coaching/support and where to step back and let them lead.

Technology is very important in our day to day lives and it does help create efficiencies and only make our jobs easier. But let’s be honest. Technology will never replace the human component that is extremely important to hospitality. So, utilize it for what it’s for but continue to lead by putting it away for a moment and truly see what our employees are doing. Put your phone down, I dare you.