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

Writer's picture: Austin J. CrawfordAustin J. Crawford

Updated: Feb 3

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!

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