Mastering Leadership: Humility, Pace, and a Clear Message

In leadership; a team’s growth is reliant upon your level of hospitality. To do what we do each day, mentorship is essential. Having a blend of support, guidance, understanding and being challenged helps to mold us.

Recently, I had the privilege to sit down with some of our industry’s leaders, as well as members of my own team, in an intimate, candid session. We discussed relationships, leadership, impact, and personal growth, which left me reflecting on one crucial question: How can I be a better leader for my teams?

The mission in leadership & hospitality is about more than personal success; it’s about raising others up and sharing what we learn. With that in mind, here are three areas that can hopefully elevate both you and your team: Practicing Humility, Slowing Down to Speed Up, and Creating Clarity in Message.

1. Practicing Humility

• Listen More Than You Speak: In your business, understanding your team and guests alike is essential. Aim to listen without planning your response; this active listening demonstrates respect and helps you grasp others’ needs more fully.

• Ask for Feedback: Regularly ask your team for feedback, not only on projects but also on your leadership style. This openness or vulnerability shows that you value their insights and are committed to personal growth.

• Celebrate Others’ Contributions: Recognize and celebrate the contributions of your team. When you shift the spotlight to others, you develop a team-centered environment that solidifies loyalty and may improve motivation.

2. Slow Down to Speed Up

• Prioritize Planning: Taking time to clearly set objectives and delegate tasks at the start can prevent issues from arising later on. A well-planned team is a faster-moving team. Use a team “pit-stop” to give direction and double check everyone is equipped.

• Take Measured Pauses: Encourage short pauses in meetings or during decision-making moments. Pausing for just a few seconds allows everyone to gather their thoughts, leading to more confident and well-considered actions. Not everyone loves meetings, but if you break up the content, the message may be clearer.

• Define Tasks or Benchmarks: Break down larger goals/tasks into manageable, clear actionable items. For example, in a restaurant: let’s aim to have XYZ stocked and organized by 3pm, tables or the stage set and immaculate by 4pm, and all associates briefed on crucial tasks, information and service priorities by 4:30pm. A more focused, slower, and steady approach can keep any project on track. It can also speed up results in the end run.

3. Creating Clarity in Message

• Use Simple Language: Avoid excessive jargon or industry-specific terminology that might confuse new associates, higher ups or even your clients/guests. Efficient, simple communication ensures everyone understands your message the first time. The busier someone is, the less time they have to hear someone else ‘yammer on’ with un-needed filler. Clear. Simple. Stated.

• Focus on Core Points: Keep messages concise, focusing on one or two main points to avoid information overload. This clarity helps your team focus on key actions and priorities. This is a great takeaway when you gather for team briefs, morning action items, afternoon pit-stops, etc.

• Ask for a Summary: After explaining a task or policy, try asking the team members to summarize the main points back to you. This reinforces clarity and ensures everyone potentially leaves the conversation with less need for excessive follow-up.

By integrating these practices into your leadership approach, you’ll create a culture that also values humility, precision, and efficiency. And in an industry where guest experience and teamwork are everything, these qualities can make all the difference.

Take a moment today to evaluate where you can bring more humility, pace, and clarity into your role. Whether it’s a small pause, a clear conversation, or a moment of associate acknowledgment, every step toward better leadership builds a stronger, more cohesive team. Adjusting by just 1 degree difference makes an impact. (Non Affiliate link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8I1NvpV7YM)

Our Journey from Leadership Bench to Do Right, Be Great

In the world of leadership development and personal growth, names carry meaning. When we first launched, we chose Leadership Bench to reflect our commitment to wanting to develop leaders who could step up when called upon. However, the name quickly began to feel too limited for us and what we wanted to express. Our vision was not just about developing people “waiting on the bench”; it was about inspiring those who are active, engaged, and striving to be their best in every moment.

That’s why we decided to rebrand to Do Right, Be Great—a name that truly reflects our philosophy and purpose. We’re not wanting to just be another leadership organization; we’re ambitious about a lifestyle brand built around a core belief: greatness comes from doing what’s right. We’re creating this brand for people who understand that leadership is about integrity, action, and impact.

Why the Change?

Leadership Bench served as a good starting point, but it didn’t quite capture our deeper mission. We found it conveyed a sense of “being on standby,” whereas our philosophy is rooted in proactive, values-based leadership. We want to inspire leaders to live by their values every day, to actively pursue growth, and to make a positive impact right now.

Do Right, Be Great embodies this vision perfectly. It’s a call to action, a reminder that achieving greatness is about making the right choices consistently, even when no one’s watching. This name reflects our purpose to support leaders who are not only focused on career advancement but who also aspire to live with integrity, lead with compassion, and leave a legacy of positive impact.

Our Vision for Do Right, Be Great

This name change is about embracing a philosophy where leadership is more than a skill set—it’s a lifestyle. We believe that each of us has the potential to achieve greatness, and that the best way to get there is by doing what’s right, consistently and intentionally. Do Right, Be Great speaks to leaders who understand that true success is a balance of achievement and ethics, of ambition and purpose.

Our new brand represents leaders who see success as not just reaching goals, but how they reach them. With Do Right, Be Great, we’re building a community for those who lead by example, live with purpose, and strive to make a difference in everything they do.

Introducing Our Apparel Line

To help our community embody the spirit of Do Right, Be Great, we’re developing an apparel line that reflects this commitment to impactful living. Our apparel is designed for leaders who live their values, who want to carry the message of integrity and ambition wherever they go. Whether in the workplace, in the gym, or on a casual day out, our pieces are a daily reminder to lead with purpose and to aspire to greatness through doing right.

You can find out more about our apparel, blog and our brand vision on our website, DoRightBeGreat.com.

As we grow, we’ll be rolling out designs that align with our ethos and provide our community with quality, style, and purpose. If you have ideas or a voice that you want communicated let us know. This apparel isn’t just clothing—it’s hopefully a movement. Our intention is that each piece represents the values of leadership, integrity, and resilience that drive our mission. Your initial support will allow us opportunity to grow.

What’s Next?

With Do Right, Be Great, we’re taking a bold step into the future. We’re more than a company; we’re a brand that’s reimagining what it means to lead with integrity. Our journey forward is about inspiring our community to reach their highest potential through a balance of personal growth and doing right by others. We’re creating spaces, products, and experiences that celebrate and support this approach.

So, join us on this journey, and let’s continue to set a standard of excellence that’s grounded in ethical leadership and personal integrity. Check out our new offerings, stay tuned for apparel updates, and become a part of the Do Right, Be Great community. We’re excited to lead this movement together.

Final Thoughts

As we embrace Do Right, Be Great, we invite you to think about what greatness means to you and how integrity plays a role in your leadership journey. We’re here to support those who are committed to both. Thank you for being a part of our community, and let’s continue to build a legacy of leadership that makes a lasting impact. Visit us at DoRightBeGreat.com to explore our new brand, connect with our vision, and become part of a leadership movement that’s as purposeful as it is powerful.

Do Right, Be Great: Transform Your Team's Habits

What if the key to an exceptional team wasn’t just skill but consistent, positive habits? In a fast-paced world like hospitality, good “jabits” (job habits) can be the difference between average and extraordinary. But how do we make these habits stick—and keep them strong under pressure?

If you’re ready to elevate your peer influence or team’s potential, let’s dive into a few simple, effective strategies that can transform your group, one habit at a time.

Embrace the “Do Right, Be Great” mindset and start building a culture that thrives!

Why Habits Fade??

New habits can lose momentum when they don’t mean anything to anyone, align with core values, lack consistent reinforcement. To make them stick, you want to think about your intentional strategies and what an ongoing commitment looks like. 

Be intentional: Strategies to Lead (Lasting) Change 

You have the opportunity to make a BIG impact. It doesn’t matter if you’re brand new to the team or have been solidified in the organization for years. This impact comes from the choices YOU MAKE and the habits you form. The following strategies are hospitality based in nature. However, anyone running or working in any industry should remember something. GENUINE HOSPITALITY SHOULD BE AT THE ROOT OF WHAT YOU DO. 

Align Habits with Purpose

Find a way to connect the desired behavior/action to your groups interest (business’s mission or vision) of “excellence rooted in service”. Show your fellow peers or team how their actions reflect their commitment to total guest satisfaction and team excellence. These actions yield more profitable results for everyone. When people see the bigger picture, hopefully they’ll be more motivated to follow through. 

NOTE: this takes time, this take consistency, this takes your commitment to sharing the purpose and connecting the vision.

Start Small, Make it Measurable

Try to hone in that BIG PICTURE a bit and pick one or two specific, achievable actions/behaviors to start with: such as greeting guests warmly, timely and with genuine interest -or- maintaining a tidy floor, counter, specific section or furniture item. What you are focused on, others will be too. Share your specific focus point with your peers or team. Communicate clear and measurable expectations. Mention the standards you expect. Repeat them and track progress together. —Stack Your Wins. 

NOTE: your habit need to be consistent in monitoring these things, not micro-manage them. Make notes, encourage and coach constantly. 

Create Accountability

Build accountability by implementing daily peer and team check-ins or feedback sessions. For example, hold a quick pit-stop to set goals and discuss how everyone can embody “Do Right, Be Great” today. If you’re not hosting a daily team pit-stop, that’s ok. Just start today. You can be the gathering, and those that care will make it a priority to check in with you too. Keep it short, keep it sweet, but most importantly keep it genuine.

NOTE: Accountability is designed for everyone, but not everyone wants to be held accountable. Their habits, and outcomes in life are a reflection of that. Their direction will take them in other ways. Focus on who’s there, and who wants to be accountable with you. 

Model the Behavior

This is BIG. This is a habit that’s crucial to anything worth while. SET. THE. TONE. Lead/Speak with the behaviors/voice you want your peers/team to adopt. Show integrity, kindness, and attention to detail in every interaction. When your team sees you living the values, they’ll follow your example. NOTE:“Do Right, Be Great.” And filter your actions: “Is this Excellence?”

Celebrate Progress

This is something I tend to reflect back on. I often find my self saying: “Man, we can celebrate that win, or this win, more often, with our people.” Recognize & Edify even the smallest steps toward positive change. Give shout-outs for good habits that reflect the “Do Right, Be Great” mindset. Consistent recognition builds morale and reinforces what’s working. 

NOTE: Edifying builds someone up where the encouragement goes straight to the heart of a person. This should not be confused with false praise or idle flattery. 

Embed into Daily Routines

Try top merge these habits you desire into the ‘rhythm’ of your business. Make it a normal practice to greet every guest walking in the front door first and with enthusiasm. Physically touch every table before, during, and after it’s been sat. Work on that time management and start each shift with that team reflection (pit-stop). When habits feel natural, they’re more likely to become second nature.

NOTE: Consistent & Persistent is the Rhythm of success.

Evaluate and Adjust

Regularly reflect on what’s effective and where there’s room for improvement. Feedback is the breakfast of champions…. Gather feedback from your team to understand what they’re finding challenging. Adapting based on real experiences shows flexibility and keeps engagement high. 

NOTE: Don’t make change just to make change, or because one or two people don’t like something. Reflect, Invest, and Discuss, then act. Don’t react. 

Embrace the “Do Right, Be Great” Mindset in Leadership

Creating lasting habits is an ongoing journey. “Do Right, Be Great” means consistently leading by example. It also means supporting your team, and committing to small, purposeful actions that build a culture of excellence. 

With these steps, hopefully you’ll find a way to develop an environment where more positive habits/behaviors become second nature. This will strengthen your team and improve your profits. At the same time, it will also embody excellence in the guest’s (customer) experience.

Make Today Great!