Restaurant managers take on a variety of tasks when it comes to running a restaurant. Taking on so many roles require managers to have a variety of skills to suit any situation that may arise from disgruntled employees, slow service, customers being upset, or even just the day-to-day running of the restaurant.
When general managers or owners of restaurants hire managers, they often look at experience and if they have a track record of getting the job done. However, some traits can often be overlooked during the hiring process, which may set a person apart as a great manager rather than just a good manager.
Here are some of the traits that are often overlooked in great managers.
1. Character
The character a person has is the backbone of being a successful manager. It requires qualities like resilience, reliability, and even empathy. A manager with strong character qualities can navigate difficult situations daily while keeping a steady hand. These are the people who stay consistent in pressure-filled situations and can handle difficult situations with grace and ease. This behavior will inspire teams or staff to perform at their highest level.
Restaurants are high-paced environments where managers face several decisions and stressful situations on a constant basis. A manager who has good character will remain composed, ensuring that the important aspects get taken care of in a timely and orderly manner. They know how to empathize with customers for a long wait time. These people know how to speak with staff in a calm manner when they are getting overwhelmed by customers and even the number of hours they might be asked to work. Character in a person is not easy to find, but when you see it, you know it, and it cannot be overlooked during the hiring process.
2. Integrity
The integrity of a person should never be overlooked when hiring a restaurant manager. Integrity means the person will be honest, transparent, and ethical in their behaviors while working in your establishment.
Managers who have high integrity want what is best for the restaurant and those who work there. These people are trustworthy, and their actions show it through the way they work daily. This trait is crucial for creating and maintaining a trusting and loyal staff who look forward to coming to work and want to give their best performance each night. They see the integrity of their boss and don’t want to let them down.
3. Humility
Humility is often looked at as a weakness in business industries. When it comes to foodservice, it is a strength. Managers who show traits of being humble enhance their credibility but also show they are willing to improve in their position as they want the people working under them to improve. A manager will always make mistakes, but a manager willing to live up to and accept and acknowledge those mistakes will garner trust and respect from staff.
Having humility builds trust among the staff who are doing the dirty work every night to make the restaurant function and exist. A staff member may take the wrong dish to a table. It’s not the end of the world. A humble manager recognizes this and speaks to the employee to make sure it doesn’t happen again but not in a way that the staff member feels degraded or bad at their job. Everyone makes mistakes. Having a manager who knows how to recognize their own mistakes, correct them, and be humble about it makes your restaurant better. It makes it more human and personable for all who work within the walls of that establishment.
Experience and skills are always important when running a restaurant. However, the character of the person, their integrity on the job, and the humility they express as a manager, are all equal when it comes to the type of person you want running your establishment. These traits are often overlooked, but having a person with these intangibles can help build trust within your team and foster a productive and positive work environment for all involved.
John Waters is the Principal of Waters Business Consulting Group, LLC in Scottsdale, Arizona. Waters is an expert in helping business owners, management, and executives achieve their goals and grow their businesses.
Are you registered for our Crave and Crave on the Menu newsletters? Sign up today!
Plan to Attend or Participate in Our Events:
- 2024 Bar & Restaurant Expo Texas, October 28-30, 2024 in San Antonio, TX. Register today!
- 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 24-26, 2025, Las Vegas, Nevada
To learn about the latest trends, issues and hot topics, and to experience and taste the best products within the bar, restaurant and hospitality industry, plan to attend Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025 in Las Vegas. Visit BarandRestaurantExpo.com.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at our events, fill out our form.
Also, be sure to follow Bar & Restaurant on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest industry news and trends.