A Powerful Lesson From Canlis
Canlis is one of the best fine-dining restaurants in the world. It is located in Seattle and has been around since 1950. It is known for impeccable customer service. Guests come from all over, trusting the staff with their special moment—whether it’s a proposal, a special celebration, or even the last meal a family may have together because of a terminal illness. Canlis masterfully creates an unforgettable experience for their guests during these special moments they are sharing. A tradition they’ve held over the years is a pre-dinner service huddle with the whole staff before showtime. The team gathers together in a circle on the dining room floor and repeats the mantra, “KEEP THE PROMISE.”
They remind their staff to keep the promise by delivering the best dining experience their guests will ever receive. In fact, that saying is something they post on the restaurant’s wall for all to see. Owner Brian Canlis said, “Keeping the promise is ensuring guests come first with what is fragile and precious to them on that particular evening. How dare we put ourselves in the spotlight when what is important for our guests is what is on their minds and hearts when they come.” Canlis truly knows what it takes to keep their team motivated to be the best each day they come to work.
While on a conference call with my mentor, Dr. John C. Maxwell, I learned about a conversation that impacted him greatly. During a dinner with Truett Cathy, the founder of Chik-fil-A, Truett looked at John and said, “Do you know how to tell if someone needs encouragement?”
John asked, “How?”
He quickly responded, “That person is breathing.”
People need motivation like they need the air they breathe. It’s a necessity, not a luxury. We can never tire of encouraging others to keep pushing forward. It is an unending commitment that produces highly motivated people. The more you fill your team’s motivational tank, the further they can go.
What are you doing as a leader to keep your team’s eyes on the mission and purpose of what they are doing?
