Overlooked Traits When Hiring Restaurant Managers

When hiring restaurant managers, qualities like organization skills, experience and leadership are always at top of mind. However, many traits exist that often go overlooked in the hiring process impacting the success of a restaurant. Here are three traits that often go overlooked when hiring management positions within restaurants.

Adaptability

Restaurants are known to be fast paced environments with many different situations happening at once on any given occasion. While some managers succeed in more structured settings, an effective restaurant manager must be able to adapt on the fly for any situation. From sudden menu changes to staff shortages, the ability to switch up and change at a moment’s notice and due so calmly is invaluable. Managers who can think on the fly and come up with unique solutions to difficult situations are more likely to keep the restaurant flowing smoothly.

When hiring people for management positions, experience is often the first thing a person looks at but they underestimate the importance of adaptability, especially during high stress situations. A manager who can adapt to new trends, customer needs and operational challenges will ensure the restaurant continues to stay competitive in their market.

Strong Communication Skills

Within restaurants, communication is a key aspect to help the establishment continue running smoothly. These skills are often overlooked for the more traditional skills like leadership, and accountability. A good restaurant manager must be able to clearly communicate with staff and business owners to make sure the customers are receiving the best service possible, and that the restaurant is excelling on every level. Management acts as a bridge between staff, customers and leadership, to ensure everything works as one functioning body. Having good communication skills makes sure all information is passed on correctly to the part of the restaurant that needs it when they need it. 

Strong communication skills create team cohesion. A manager who can listen to staff, help mediate any conflicts and provide constructive feedback will create a more positive work environment which is better for all who work there. Clear communication helps reduce turnover rates, misunderstandings between staff and management and enhances the overall efficiency of workers. 

Being Customer Centric

Many times, when hiring a manager, the owner or hiring individual looks for someone who can handle the operations side of the business. Hiring management must also know that customer experience and satisfaction is key to keep a restaurant running. So, focus on these attributes. A manager who focuses on customer satisfaction ensures that every part of the restaurant is tailored to enhance the dining experience of everyone. This trait goes beyond just taking care of complaints and various problems. It is about understanding how customers think and what they are looking for in a dining experience, anticipating the needs of the customer and making sure they improve the restaurant and team each day to do a better job at satisfying the customer’s needs.

A manager who focuses on the customer experience pays attention the slightest of details, like making sure tables are cleaned quickly after a guest leaves or those with dietary restrictions are taken care of with the same respect those who don’t have health restraints are allowed. A customer centric manager realizes that every aspect of the restaurant is about the satisfaction of the customer, which will lead to repeat business, better reviews and more revenue. 

When hiring management positions, it is easy to focus on the obvious talents and skills of a person. However, being able to adapt, having good communication skills and being customer focused are areas that often go overlooked in the hiring process. Identifying these traits within individuals can give you a leg up in the hiring process and help you identify those people who not only have the basic skills to run the establishment but those people who can and will go above and beyond their duties.