Here's how you can present new ideas or initiatives with assertiveness and confidence as a culinary manager.

One of the best ways to innovate your food and beverage service is to?involve your customers in the process. By listening to their feedback, preferences, and suggestions, you can tailor your service to their needs and expectations, and create more value and loyalty.

In my experience, a team will go above and beyond for a leader whom they respect. Respect is earned by the leader when they recognize and acknowledge the unique contributions and potential of each team member. Value your team members, support their career growth, keep communications open and safe. Let them speak frankly about concerns they have with new initiatives. Listen to their ideas. Remember, life happens, & occasionally, employees need to be human. Support, don't judge. Make time for 1/1s to ensure you are in tune with each team member. Employees will move mountains and will bring unbridled enthusiasm to all they do when they know their leader has their back no matter what.

Building rapport starts with how you interact with your team. Being genuine and showing some personality while remaining professional is a great way to break down barriers and to build rapport. When employees see that you share common experiences, likes or interest and they can be themselves around you, it fosters trust. Showing you care but can also be assertive and professional earns respect from your team.

Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. Earning the respect of your team starts with proving to them that you are willing to do the same work they do, right beside them. Spend time in the trenches regularly to build strong relationships with those around you.

Take it one step further and sit down with one team member per day. Ask a few questions about them, get to them, and what they would like see to change, what they enjoy about the job. Over time you will learn about trends and needs for team. In addition, you opened that door for them, letting them know you care, are a great listener, and appreciate their contribution.

Be someone you team can count on. Be willing to jump in, any position, any time. This shows your ability to collaborate, support, and encourage teamwork. Your role is still incredible important, so don't get locked in. Sometimes we all assume we can do each other's job, when we are willing to support, we create appreciation and value.

Don't just pitch the "what" of your new restaurant idea, ignite a fire with the "why"! Tell a story that weaves your proposal into the heart of the restaurant's mission. Explain how it benefits everyone - tastier food for customers, a happier team, and a booming business.

When sharing your vision for the organization, make the process collaborative! Speak to your team, listen to their stories, and ask them what they see for the future of the organization. Involving the group doesn't mean they are in charge of the direction of the company. It just means you are giving them a forum to voice their ideas and vision as well. And when you finally settle on a direction, they are far more likely to support that vision. Share it with them often, remind them of where you are all going as a group, and collaborate as a team. Everyone working together, moving in the same direction, can be a powerful tool.

I agree that being assertive will command respect but you don’t just want respect. You want what’s best for the individual, the team and the company. Being assertive can ensure that delivering hard news or less than positive feedback keeps personal feelings out of it. Coupling assertiveness with a plan of action, a commitment to help and words of encouragement go a long way.

Leave your fear of rejection at the door. Be confident in your contributions to the team! You are part of the organization for a reason. Stay positive, and use your story and experience to bring value to the group.

A collaborative environment is where each individual voice can be heard and feels important. THIS is when we see the value. Being able to give feedback allows for improvement, helps to streamline processes, and find solutions that truly work. When employees feel heard, they will show up for us in ways you can't imagine. Let their ideas be the fuel and empower them to lead!

Encourage an open dialogue, where everyone feels comfortable expressing their viewpoints. Remember, constructive criticism is a powerful tool for improvement and innovation. By fostering an environment of open communication, you build a stronger, more cohesive team capable of achieving great results together.

In my experience having an open door policy is a way to encourage feedback. When employees know they won’t be judged for their thoughts and ideas, it allows for open and honest conversations. When an employee provides constructive feedback that fuels change even in small ways, share that with your team. It will encourage other team members to come forward with their thoughts and ideas.

Prepare Thoroughly: Before presenting, research and gather all necessary information to confidently address questions and concerns. Clearly articulate the idea, its benefits, and the steps to implement it. For e.g, I explained the benefits of a new inventory management system to my team, which helped them understand its value. Demonstrate your passion and enthusiasm for the idea to inspire others. Anticipate and address potential concerns or questions from your team. Follow Through: After presenting, take actionable steps to implement the initiative and keep your team updated on progress. For example, after introducing a new inventory management system, I regularly updated my team on its effectiveness and made adjustments as needed.