Donald Burns (speaker) argues that when teams ignore checklists the root cause is usually poor leadership. He tells a story about a restaurant owner named Mark whose chaotic restaurant outcomes were caused by weak leadership, then gives three direct fixes: 1) lead by example, 2) communicate clearly, and 3) hold staff accountable. The video ends with a call-to-action to a free 90-minute TRC method masterclass (coaching system Burns says he has used with over 2,900 restaurants over 14 years).
Questions this video answers
Donald Burns
June 21, 2024
Lead by example; Communicate clearly; Hold the team accountable.
A free 90-minute TRC method masterclass
Over 2,900 restaurants over the last 14 years
Chapters
Can't get your team to follow the checklist. Maybe, just maybe, you're just a shitty leader. So let me tell you a story about Mark. Mark ran a restaurant where nobody followed the checklist. His kitchen was chaos, his dining room was a mess, and his team was just all over the place. And then he complained that his staff was lazy and unmotivated. So I took a hard look at his leadership style and guess what? Ding, ding, ding. Mark was the problem. His leadership was a joke. You ever try to assemble IKEA furniture without reading the manual and what happens is you end up with this wobbly mess? Well, that was Mark's restaurant. No direction, no clarity, just pure chaos and mayhem. Does that sound familiar? So if your team isn't following a checklist, it's because you are failing to lead them properly. There is this idiotic belief that says if I just give them the checklist, it should be common sense and they should just follow it. Wake the hell up. A checklist is only as good as the leader enforcing it or it's nothing but a piece of paper. So here are three quick tips to fix this shit. Number one, you must lead by example. You think you just bark orders from the office? That is so pathetic. You gotta get your ass out there and show your team how it's done. Be the first to follow the checklist yourself, because here's the thing, if you're not doing it, why the hell should they do it? Number two, Communicate clearly. Expect your team to read your mind. That is so naive. Clearly communicate the importance of the checklist and the standards that you expect. Be specific and be relentless in your expectations. Vague directions lead to vague results. And number three, you got to hold them accountable. Letting things slide is weak leadership. You got to hold your team accountable every single day, conduct regular checks and address issues immediately. If you do not enforce the rules, they're not going to follow them, period. If your team isn't following a checklist, it's because you are failing as a leader. Step up. Lead by example. Clearly communicate and hold your team accountable. Damn, hold yourself accountable. Stop whining and start leading. Now, if you're ready, I mean really, really ready, to break free from your restaurant running you, then grab a seat at my free 90 minute TRC method masterclass where I'm going to show you a three step process to get the restaurant and life that you desire. This is the same system that I have coached over 2,900 restaurants for the last 14 years. I mean, this shit works. Sign up now before your competition does just head over to restaurant coachmasterclass.com and I.
