At a Watershed founders’ event last week we were focusing on high performing teams. Then we started comparing working in hospitality with being in a family. There’s no doubt that some of us in bars and restaurants really like the idea that working in hospitality can feel a lot like being in a family

A high performing hospitality team can look a lot like a family, we eat together and sometimes drink together. It can sound like a family – we have our own language and it certainly feels like a family, we like to look after each other and have fun together

Moreover, people can be ascribed certain roles in the family, which go beyond father, mother, sister or brother. For example, you could be caregiver or achiever, troublemaker or scapegoat. In both types of family- real family or hospitality– the role becomes part of your identity, and this can be positive and motivating or limiting and even quite destructive.

What separates a family from a high performing team?

• A high performing team is more focused on what it needs to concentrate on in order to succeed. It is adding value to itself for both today and the long term.
• It regularly reviews its progress.
• It engages in open dialogue – people are candid, and open to challenge from each other
• And it learns and adapts – is quick to change when it recognises a need to do so

Watershed Hospitality Founders’ events run every other month, are facilitated by experts in their field, and cost £245.00 (creditable against future spend).

Events coming up include

Friday 20^th June, The Founder as Coach, with Matt Driver

Friday 11^th July, Managing Difficult – difficult situations, difficult conversations, difficult people With Sarah Campbell

Friday 26 September, Being Your Best, with Phil Hayes

Contact helen@thewatershedgroup.co.uk for tickets