Donald Burns explains why telling staff to "think like an owner" doesn't work: employees lack the owner's personal investment, creditor responsibility, and years of long hours. Ownership and employment are fundamentally different stakes, so the mindset gap isn't a choice.
Now, if you have a puzzled look on your face right now, you understand the same look your staff gives you when you tell them, think like an owner. See, owners have had experiences that a few can only truly understand, working more hours than you ever imagined or cared because you see and need to reach your goal. You're the owner. You signed up for all this, the good and the bad. If things go bad, the creditors are looking for you, not for your team. So it's very hard for them to think like an owner when they don't have the same level of personal investment, responsibility or context that you have.
If your restaurant only works because you work 80 hours a week, it doesn't work.
