Unlock Opportunities to Act as One
In the fast-paced world of hospitality, success relies not just on individual effort, but also on effective teamwork. The challenge is to unlock the potential to work together harmoniously.
From fostering better communication to aligning goals, teamwork is the key to providing memorable guest experiences, driving business success, and guaranteeing that the team is valued and satisfied.
Today we’re going to focus on how you can unlock your team’s true potential by creating an environment where growth, wellbeing and inclusion are at the forefront, using our TEAMS code as a starting point.
Great TEAMS Act as One
The TEAMS code provides a framework that you can use in your kitchen to create an inspiring work environment. It’s made up of five pillars:
- Togetherness: Meaning everyone should feel welcome and represented.
- Empathy: Creating an environment where teams feel safe and at ease and communicate more effectively.
- Act as One: Establishing common goals, sharing knowledge, and growing together.
- Mindful: Promoting a healthy work environment where people feel safe and supported.
- Speak Up: Listening to every voice to shape the kitchen culture and environment.
Today we’re focusing on the third pillar, Act as One, and how you can involve your team in the discussion to make sure all resources are available to grow and thrive together.
An Hour for Us: What it is and why you need it
Acting as One means that the team is aligned on shared goals and is provided with the skills and knowledge to do the best they can and progress in their career. It’s essential to have a regular check-in with your team to ensure all these conditions are met.
That’s where ‘An Hour for Us’ comes into play. This weekly or monthly 1-hour session with the whole crew is an occasion to talk about current issues, listen to each other’s opinions, discuss industry changes and generally assess how well the team is doing.
Chef Claudette Zepeda, who’s already experiencing the benefits of the An Hour for Us sessions at her restaurant El Jardín Restaurant & Bar, says: “It’s so important to me to have #AnHourforUs sessions. It is a great time for the team to discuss some of the industry’s biggest issues and talk about how we can make our new restaurant a beacon of positive kitchens”.
What's more, everyone should feel safe to share their opinion and feelings on what’s working and what isn’t. Chef John Vitale from Caffè Anello shared: “An Hour for Us [is about] putting it all on the table, working things out together. Everybody has a say in what happens and where we need to improve.”
If you’re ready to set up your first team check-in, here is some inspiration on points you can discuss.
Diversity and Inclusion
Fostering diversity and inclusion ensures the fabric of the team is rich with different cultures, skillsets and backgrounds. Everyone should feel respected and valued, and there should be diversity at all levels. Unilever Diversity & Inclusion Lead Kamillah Knight has suggested some questions you can ask your team on this topic:
- Do you feel that the work environment is inclusive and equitable?
- Do you trust the senior leadership of your organization?
- Do you think that senior leadership stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion?
You might also like: Why Diversity is Good for a Positive Kitchen
Career progression and opportunities
Offering training and career progression opportunities is not only vital to keep the industry thriving and developing your staff but is also a key step to retaining top talent. That’s why you should check if your team is offered enough opportunities to learn new skills and if there are enough roles for promotions and growth.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental health is a topic that is gaining a central role in hospitality. Promoting self-care and mindfulness will ensure you and your team are happy in the workplace and can recharge outside of work. This means ensuring enough breaks, time-off and peer-to-peer support are available.
Want to know more about mental health is hospitality? We’ve got you covered here.
Ready to Help Your Team Thrive?
Creating a great work environment is a joint effort, and the first step is to regularly discuss what changes can be made to foster a Positive Kitchen every day.
For more ideas on how to start the conversation with your team, download the Hour for Us guide and the Positive Kitchens code.
