Thinking of leaving the industry?

Many seasoned professionals consider stepping away from the restaurant sector, often citing burnout, stagnation, or a desire for change. However, before making such a significant career pivot, it's crucial to evaluate the impact of your current company culture and understand what other options and companies are out there for you first.

Recently, I spoke with a Restaurant General Manager who has dedicated over seven years to one restaurant. Despite her substantial contributions and commitment, she's considering leaving the restaurant industry altogether.

The reason? A company culture that exploited her dedication and overlooked the essence of teamwork and fair play. Throughout our conversations she described consistent expectations of excessively long hours, neglecting restaurant maintenance and investment in the property, and a lack of care or respect for employees. It was particularly disheartening to learn she felt compelled to contribute her own money to the tip pool, driven by suspicions of the owners skimming funds. This level of negative company culture, as she described, would likely be palpable from the moment one stepped into the restaurant.

However, it's crucial to emphasize that this distressing scenario is not indicative of our industry as a whole. Learning about other companies and finding the right culture can dramatically reignite your passion for the hospitality industry.

Finding Your Fit

Consider the following steps to find a company culture that aligns with your aspirations and values:

1. Define Your Ideal Culture: What are the key elements you're looking for? Teamwork, recognition, work-life balance, growth opportunities?
2. Research and Network: Platforms like LinkedIn are goldmines for researching potential employers and networking with industry insiders.
3. Ask the Right Questions: During interviews, dive deep into the company’s values, employee engagement initiatives, and real-life career progression stories.
4. Evaluate the Fit: Is there a resonance between the company's culture and your personal values and career aspirations.

Testimony of the power of a supportive work environment: The GM's move to an organization that genuinely valued her contributions and fostered a collaborative atmosphere was a game-changer. It not only revitalized her enthusiasm for the hospitality sector but also amplified her impact as a manager.

Let's not underestimate the value of finding the right fit within our industry. Sometimes, all it takes is a change of scenery within the same field to discover the renewed passion and opportunities we seek.

#Hospitality #CareerGrowth #CompanyCulture #JobSatisfaction #GeckoHospitality