Building High-Performance Teams Isn't Easy, But Nothing So Rewarding Usually Is.

In a recent episode of the "Hospitality Huddles" podcast, hosted by Scot Turner , founder of Auden Hospitality , Troy Hooper , CEO of Pepper Lunch Restaurants in the US, shared his valuable insights on how to build high-performing teams. Troy's extensive experience in the hospitality industry, including his tenure at Pepper Lunch, has provided him with a wealth of knowledge on this subject.

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Here are some key takeaways from the episode, along with Troy's top five tips for building high-performing teams.

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The Importance of Mindset and Alignment

Troy emphasises the critical role of mindset and alignment in team building. According to him, it is essential to ensure that the skills, experience, and interests of potential team members align with the business and brand. This alignment fosters passion and commitment, which are crucial for achieving success. Additionally, Troy underscores the importance of aligning with the leadership and the systems in place. This alignment helps in creating a cohesive and collaborative team culture, which is built over time through shared experiences and problem-solving.

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Resilience and Adaptability

Building a high-performing team requires resilience and adaptability. Troy candidly shares that there will be tough moments, and the team will need to retool, readjust, and go in different directions at times. The ability to bounce back from setbacks and maintain a positive and determined mindset is vital for team success. This resilience is not only important for individual team members but also for the team as a whole, enabling them to navigate challenges and stay focused on their goals.

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Mentorship and Leadership

Troy highlights the distinction between leadership and management. While management focuses on overseeing tasks and processes, leadership involves mentoring and empowering team members. Troy believes that mentorship is more critical when working with high-performing teams. It involves guiding individuals, helping them grow in their roles, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. By providing support and resources, leaders can help their teams reach their full potential and drive the organisation towards success.

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Effective Onboarding

Effective onboarding is another crucial aspect of building high-performing teams. Troy admits that onboarding is an area where he has faced challenges in the past. He stresses that how the first days, weeks, and months are spent together matters more than anything else. A well-structured onboarding process helps new team members integrate smoothly into the team and organisation. It ensures that they understand their roles, responsibilities, and the company's culture, setting them up for success from the beginning.

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Continuous Support and Communication

Continuous support and open communication are essential for maintaining high-performing teams. Troy mentions that he makes himself available 24 hours a day to serve his team and make them successful. Regular meetings, such as weekly all-hands meetings, provide a platform for team members to share their progress, seek support, and keep everyone informed about ongoing projects. This transparency and collaboration help in ensuring that everyone is on the same page and can work together effectively towards common goals.

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Top Five Tips for Building High-Performing Teams?

Based on Troy’s insights above, here are his simple top five tips for building high-performing teams:

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1. Foster the Right Mindset

Ensure that team members' skills, experience, and interests align with the business and brand. This alignment fosters passion and commitment, which are crucial for success.

2. Promote Resilience and Adaptability

Build a team that can bounce back from setbacks and adapt to changing circumstances. Resilience and a positive mindset are essential for navigating challenges and staying focused on goals.

3. Emphasise Mentorship over Management

Focus on mentoring and empowering team members rather than just managing tasks. Provide guidance, support, and resources to help individuals grow and reach their full potential.

4. Implement Effective Onboarding

Design a well-structured onboarding process that helps new team members integrate smoothly into the team and organisation. Ensure they understand their roles, responsibilities, and the company's culture from the beginning.

5.Ensure Continuous Support and Communication

Maintain open communication and provide continuous support to your team. Regular meetings and transparent collaboration help keep everyone informed and working together effectively towards common goals.

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Building high-performing teams is a complex and ongoing process that requires attention to mindset, alignment, resilience, mentorship, onboarding, and communication.

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Troy’s insights from his experience as CEO of Pepper Lunch Restaurants provide valuable guide for anyone looking to create and lead successful teams.

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By following his advice and implementing these top five tips, leaders can build teams that are not only high-performing but also resilient, adaptable, and continuously growing.

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For more detailed insights and to listen to the full episode, check out the Hospitality Huddles episode below;

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