I’d like to speak to the manager!!!

In 2013, about a week after I was hired for my first GM job, Adam ordered a present for me.  A copy of Setting the Table, by Danny Meyer.  He is a restauranter in NYC, and the book was his philosophy of hospitality.  It was a great read for a new manager.

Looking back, it taught me a lot.  In the 10 years since, I’ve kept a hold of some of his ideas, and realized others were a pipe dream only for someone who was in a position to make ownership decisions, not management decisions.  

I read the book twice.  First as a reader, then a second time to take notes.  I had about 15 pages of notes that I hand wrote, then put into a word document that I still have.  

I used these notes to format the basis of my first meeting, with the new staff of the restaurant I was opening. 

I was standing in front of the main bar, with my notes, and about 30 employees, I’d just met, staring at me.  

I gave one of the most moving speeches that I’d ever given.  

I’ve learned as an adult that not only do I like writing, but I also enjoy public speaking.  I’ve also learned that sometimes the speech is a dud.  And sometimes, it flows like I’ve been doing this for a lifetime.  

Some great speeches I’ve given? 

My graduation speech, when I finished up at UCSD, was from the heart and I felt was very good.  

My toast at my friend Michelle and Lisa’s wedding, was equally moving.

And my hospitality speech on the first day of training was excellent.  

The words flowed, the staff asked questions, and my heart was in it.

About halfway through the chat, I realized one of the owners had joined the meeting.  I continued as if I’d been doing this forever.  He pulled me aside and told me that we should chat about me heading up all the training for the company.  That never happened, but it felt good.  

I have learned not to write the speech, but the write the bullet points instead, and let the speech, be organic and off the cuff.  It’s always gone better for me this way.  

I still have the bullet points from that day.  I have given that talk about 30 or 40 times since.  It’s never worked as well.  It’s always feels forced and rehearsed and not from the heart.  

The reason, I’m sharing all of this it to write a post, that isn’t going to happen now.  As always, the first sentence has led me down a different path.

I am about to be challenged to give this speech, talk, chat, instruction, pep rally, training again in a few months.  And somehow, I need to find a way back to the first presentation.  

The first one.  

From the heart.  

Off the cuff.  

With all of the meaning and understanding there that I need for everyone to get.  

My first approach, will be to re-read the book.   Making new notes, with the understanding that I speak from a very different place today. 

I have 10 years under my belt.  I’m less naive.   Less blinded by the newness of the unknown.  

I’m jaded now you might say.    

That being said, there is much truth in what I shared from the book.  

That will be my start.  I’ve also done some research on similar books from the industry, that I’ll be picking up over the next month or so.  

And I’ll make my bullet points.  I’ll speak off the heart and I’ll hope it gets the job done.  

And I’ll let you know in about 6 months how it all goes.