Some managers have intangible qualities that make them effective leaders and impactful mentors. If you're lucky, you've had the opportunity to work under the guidance of a manager like this. They're teachers who help you grow into a better person by adding a sense of clarity to your work and life. Not every person has the nuanced skill set to be this type of manager. But, with the proper training, all managers can become better leaders. Being a leader in your restaurant has big benefits for your career and for your restaurant. Here are 8 great coaching and training resources you can take advantage of to become a better coach.
The restaurant industry is an unpredictable place. Service and bar staff turnover is high, management gets burnt out, there is endless competition, and profit margins are tight. You must be a little crazy to work in a restaurant. But the sturm und drang of the restaurant life is exactly why restaurant ownership needs to encourage their management to become better coaches and improve on their interpersonal skills.
Here are the top reasons restaurant managers should work on their coaching skills:
Coursera: This is an amazing resource for anyone who wants to learn. Coursera goes beyond hospitality education, they are an educational technology company that offers online courses from top universities for free. Visit the site and you can find Food and Beverage Management courses, Hospitality Management, and classes on coaching and leadership in management roles.
National Restaurant Association: The NRA has a great section on their website that is focused on restaurant management training. The articles range from useful training tips to guidance on the hiring process or even insight into policy and regulations regarding restaurants.
Reddit: The social media site that is fully powered by user-generated content is a great resource for restaurateurs and eager-to-learn restaurant managers. The best forum, or in local parlance, "subreddit," for restaurant information is /r/restaurateur. Here you can ask questions related to restaurant operations and field answers by the restaurateurs and experience restaurant professionals in the subreddit. Forums like these are best used for answering specific questions than a full on training course. But it's usefulness as a resource is undeniable.
Restaurant Rockstar Academy: The Restaurant Rockstar is Roger Beaudoin, a successful restaurant owner and operator who now works as a consultant and has built a training program called The Restaurant Rockstar Academy. It details how to best run and operate a restaurant and build a successful team of employees.
Service that Sells: We have not used this service previously, but they have a strong web presence, and their focus is on creating customized training programs that fit your restaurant. We think this is a great feature, and appreciate the personalized touch. Of course, this also means a custom price tag comes with the service. They specialize in server and employee training, but also have dedicated training for management.
Leadership: The 5 Fundamentals for Restaurant Managers: This is a great leadership guide for those who are just starting out in managerial roles and looking to learn how to be a leader, not just a boss.
The Restaurant Manager's Handbook: This is as close to a restaurant management bible as it comes. Now in its 4th edition, the updated best-seller dives into all aspects of running a restaurant, including managing and training employees.
Setting the Table: This book was written in 2008 by one of the most successful restaurateurs of our times, Danny Meyer. The CEO of Union Square Hospitality details the lessons he has learned about the restaurant business through his climb to the top. A must read for any manager on the rise in the modern restaurant world.