From furlough to full speed?
It’s all systems go in hospitality, the moment we’ve all been waiting for, a green light, a date. We’ve had these before of course and they may well change again. Friends and clients are gearing up for re-opening - action stations!
There is an air of excitement and relief but also an undertone of fear. Just as grinding to a halt was a shock to the system so too will be the adjustment to a potential full speed ahead summer. How will it feel to be back in an operating hotel or restaurant? What will be different? Who will be missing? What leadership challenges will be front and centre?
As operators we often jump into doing and fixing, it’s in our nature and we’re good at it. The energy, pace, problem solving, teamwork, satisfaction after a job well done - it’s addictive! It’s also a recipe for burnout. Especially as not everyone in hospitality has been on furlough, with many managers, HR professionals and behind the scenes functions working tirelessly to support their teams and customers throughout the pandemic.
On opening there will be familiar and new challenges across all areas of the business from supply, to sales to staffing and the customer experience. With recruitment and on-boarding sure to be the key challenge as COVID-19 continues to disrupt our lives and opportunities for home working in other sectors become evermore attractive.
As ever it’s essential that leaders build on habits and networks to support their well-being. Supportive peer groups that look out for each other, teams with collective responsibility for each others welfare, coaches as thinking and accountability partners to navigate change and thrive.
There is much written about resilience and developing well-being but it can be difficult to build in yet more practices when there are a million things to do. Here are three simple questions to ask yourself each day that can take just 5 minutes if that’s all that you have. The insight and subsequent action you take WILL have a positive impact on you and those around you.
What three things am I grateful for today?
Is what I am doing helping or harming me?
What support do I need today and how do I get it?
Check out my post on Mindful Practices for Focus and Well-Being for daily practices and exercises that sharpen your attention and soothe your soul.
