Career Pride

I often marvel at the industry's plague with management individuals who often feel stuck, or rather are stuck in the daily grind/routine of the their restaurant management jobs.

I love what we do! I love the energy, the interaction, the problem solving, the relationships, the successes, the failures, the long hours, the food, the wine, the coffee, the tea, the beer, the special events, the banquets, the caterings, the industry shows, the thrill of a busy service... all of it!

But I have spent too much time with uninspired managers!

I believe a some of the lack of inspiration is attributable to an employer's lack of investment in engaging their management staffs. But I also believe we as managers would be much more engaged if "WE" made more of an effort to read, to learn, experiment and educate ourselves about subjects relevant to our profession.

I believe that our careers in restaurant management are often regarded as second class. And further believe that we succumb to that notion.

We are left feeling that our jobs are unglamorous and perhaps even ashamed to admit that we are restaurant managers.

We are not any less professional than any other occupation. Our credentials may often come from the school of hard knocks, but our profession should be no less esteemed.

The landscape and the educational accreditation of our industry is vastly changing, but no degree, certification or diploma will ever substantiate the worth of our profession if we don't take pride in who we are and what we do.