General Manager Must Have's

Hi Everybody,

As Vin Scully would say "Good is not good, when better is expected". In restaurants and in hospitality we are graded on daily basis and the awesome day you just had is forgotten as quickly as it arrived. We are a performance based, change on the fly segement of our ever changing economy.  We as owners operators and chefs must do a better job of evaluating talent as we bring them into our cultures and organizations. Below are listed General Manager traits that are vital to your organizations moving forward.  The GM is the most important part of your business because Leadership truly comes before guest services.  For better or worse your staff emulates the GM on every level.. Think about that for a moment..

It has been my perception through years of experience that if staffs don't know or understand the day to day expectation set by your General Manager, THEY WILL MAKE UP THEIR OWN.  Thats where we start to run into problems.  Your GM is directly involved with developing JR manager's on staff. JR manager's develope the rest of your staff per department.  They all take on the persona of the main character in your business, the General Manager.  Below this paragraph are a list of must haves I have accumulated over a period of 20+ years in the field.  If your GM's have these traits you will win every day.  You will be able to step away and get other things accomplished. Never Settle for anything Less..

Executes Ideals of Brand (Core Values)
Exceptional in Food and Beverage or 90% Of (QSC)
Has Many Fans on Staff (Firm but Fair)
The energy in their Restaurants Differ from other restaurants (Positive)
The Team is smiling and they are never out of uniform
Tough on your standards, easy with people
They have full Ownership. Just Like its theirs
Addictive Consistency
Daily Team Training
Staffing Scheduling is optimal.. Never over budget
He/She sees what the guest sees
Expert at the basics
Shift is lead on purpose and guided with passion
Purposeful Hiring with a particular goal in mind
Accepts Accountability Quick to Change
Never Turns Over (Lifer)
Disciplined/Not ridged (Understands Gray Area)
Focus, Goal Sets, Follows up on Execution (P & L)
Loves the Community where they Manage
Communication with entire staff is Exceptional
Resolves Conflict with ease
Evaluates first then acts (Even Keel)
He/She is the Harbor in the Tempest
Crew very Loyal and Committed (No turnover)
Always motivating and planning
Pre-shift meetings are automatic and fun
Switch is always on..Incredibly Tuned In

Congrats if you have a GM who partially shows upon this list. Hopefullly while reading this post you will have a AHA moment on a Oprah like scale.. I invite you to leave comments..