Leadership separates the high achievers from the mundane punch-the-clock Manager. It encompasses five areas that a superior Manager must grasp in order to run successful shifts and grow sales.

A leader must be value driven. If a Manager’’s value is to be punctual for work, then he/she must set the value example by being at work on time. If the value is food safety, then the Manager must lead the way when it comes to washing his/her hands.

Values are the first step in the leadership pyramid. A great leader also serves the internal customer, which is every member of the restaurant team. Making sure the tools are provided for success, to spending time with every member for mentoring and coaching one-on-ones. One of the greatest skills lacking in my industry is the Manager who either is too incompetent or too lazy to exert the energy it takes to establish a mentoring relationship. Restaurant team members crave that personal service and attention, especially the rapidly rising through the ranks Generation Years.

Great leaders welcome the challenge to solve problems. They eat problems for breakfast, relishing the role in knocking down any roadblock that is a impediment to providing excellent service and superior product. They don”t hide when a guest wants a problem solved. They make their decisions and move on, learning from their mistakes on a problem that goes awry.

Contrary to the General Patton school of leadership, a great leader must be selfless and humble. When a member of the team achieves greatness, a great leader recognizes that achievement and rewards it with a variety of possible actions. a great leader deflects any praise heaped on him/her and gives credit to the team. I don”t know how many times I have heard a Manager use the phrase “My store” to describe his/her role in the success of the team. Unless your name is Outback, Chili or Applebee, then it isn’t your store. It is the teams. A great leader recognizes that.

Finally, a great leader is a superior communicator, from conveying his/her vision of success to conferencing employees in a discrete one-on-one environment. A great leader leaves no doubt as to where they stand on policy and operational procedure, and is consistent and fair when implementing discipline and rewarding success.

It is facile to punch the clock and manage a shift. It takes a lot of self analysis and courage to thrive as a leader. We need more leaders and less babysitters.