Empowered Teams, Happy Guests Pt 2. Touching Tables V.19

The Value of Authenticity: Be Yourself

In industries like hospitality, retail, or services, the personal touch is not just important—it's everything. Imagine each employee as an artist and their personality as their unique brushstroke. This personality, this authentic self, is exactly what your business hired them for.

Just as an artist wouldn't switch to an unfamiliar style on opening night, your employees shouldn't feel compelled to adopt a persona that isn't theirs when they clock in.

Why Authenticity Works:

Strengthens Customer Connections: People gravitate towards genuineness. A customer can easily sense when someone is being genuine with them, and this builds trust. Trust, in turn, fosters loyalty. When employees are true to themselves, they create a more welcoming and relatable environment. Customers feel that they are interacting with real people who have real emotions and insights, not just scripted automatons.

Boosts Employee Satisfaction and Retention: When staff members are encouraged to be themselves, they feel respected and valued for who they are, not just for the role they perform or the uniform they wear. This acknowledgment can significantly boost morale and job satisfaction, which is crucial for reducing turnover rates. Happy employees are more likely to stay, reducing the constant cycle of hiring and training that can be costly and disruptive.

Enhances Your Brand Identity: A brand is much more than a logo or a set of colours; it's a voice and a personality. When employees are authentic, they contribute to a more dynamic and vivid brand personality. This uniqueness makes your brand memorable and can distinguish your business from competitors.

Encourages Innovation and Creativity: Authenticity allows people to express their true thoughts and ideas without fear of not fitting into a preformed mould. This openness can lead to innovation and improvements in service, process, and product offerings. When employees feel safe to share their unique perspectives, businesses can discover new ways of doing things better.

How to Implement the 'Be Yourself' Philosophy:

Provide a Supportive Environment: Cultivate a workplace where differences are celebrated, and personal growth is encouraged. Make it clear that the company supports individuality.

Train Leaders to Recognise and Foster Individual Strengths: Managers should be trained to recognise the unique strengths and abilities of each team member and to delegate tasks that align with these strengths. This not only maximises efficiency but also helps employees feel valued and understood.

Communicate Openly and Often: Ensure that there are open lines of communication where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. Regular feedback sessions can help maintain this dialogue.

Lead by Example: Leadership should embody the philosophy of authenticity. When senior members of the team show their true selves, it sets a precedent for everyone else.

And to you, the reader, some final advice:

When preparing for an interview, remember to always be yourself. It might be tempting to adopt a persona you think your potential employer wants to see, but this can lead to a disconnect between your true self and the version you're presenting.

Authenticity is your greatest asset. By being genuine, you allow your unique qualities to shine through, which might be exactly what the employer is looking for. In fact, your real self could perfectly align with the company's culture and values, making you a standout candidate.

Being true to yourself not only makes the interview process more comfortable and natural, but it also ensures that you and your potential employer can make a truly informed decision about whether you’re the right fit for each other.

So, take a deep breath, trust in who you are, and let that shine through. You never know, your genuine self might be precisely who they’ve been searching for.

Until next time.