It can feel lonely at the top – especially because being there forces you to take a long, hard look at yourself every day.
Every entrepreneurial independent restaurant company reflects its owner. Whatever the owner does well and values, the company does well and values. Whatever challenges an owner becomes problematic to the company.
The Human Condition
One client looked at me forlornly when things were not going well and they felt frustrated.
In a half-mocking tone of voice, they said, “Is it me? Is it my fault? Did I create this?”
They were looking for sympathy or pain relief. I gave them something different.
“Of course it’s you!” I exclaimed with an understanding smile on my face. “You created everything here. And only you have the power to correct course.”
I’m not sure that made them feel better in the moment, but they eventually came around to the fact that an action plan going forward beats consolation any day.
Most People Know
Most founders have a fairly accurate awareness of how their company’s strengths reflect their own skills and talents – as well as how their own challenges are reflected in their company.
But I’ve known a few who remain oblivious to the concept, demonstrating why their restaurants hadn’t kept up.
For restaurateurs who built their business on fantastic hospitality, we build equally strong behind-the-scenes business functions.
For restaurateurs who excel at business, financial information, and cost management, we build a culture that reminds them who actually rules the restaurant: guests (the only people who pay for anything in a restaurant) and employees (who make every shift run).
For restaurateurs who trust their gut more than anything else, we provide information to do proper gut checks.
For spontaneous restaurateurs who generate a million ideas, we surround them with guard rails.
For every type of restaurateur, an intervention and correction help things really take off.
This goes way beyond visionary and integrator.
The Biggest Call to Action
Owning magnetic restaurants and a powerful company is a result of leveraging the approach that supported them at the start and then balancing that by adding all the other pieces you need to go all the way.
The people who fail to balance themselves experience everything from a limited upside to unnecessary everyday frustration.
I can see it quickly, because I serve as the guy who puts in the other pieces.
The joy comes when results soar, flourish, and thrive.
