Short persuasive video by Donald Burns arguing that the word “manager” carries negative, limiting connotations (maintain, babysit, prevent breaking) and should be replaced with “leader” or “leadership team” language to empower staff, promote growth, and build a better culture—advice targeted especially at restaurant operators.
Words have meaning. And, man, I hate the word manager. You and I are on the same page as we hate it with a passion. Yeah, we don't call people managers. We call them leaders. Words have meaning, right? If I call you a manager, you're gonna manage, you're gonna maintain, you're gonna prevent breaking, you're gonna babysit, you're just gonna keep things status quo. Right? Leadership has a much different definition, and it's something I encourage every restaurant or every operator that I talk to stop using that word. Stop calling your people managers. It's a terrible word. It's an ugly, ugly, terrible word with a terrible implication. If you want to grow, if you want to succeed, if you want a great culture, you have to empower people with words that have meaning, right? So call them leaders. Call them part of your leadership team.
If your restaurant only works because you work 80 hours a week, it doesn't work.
