September 3, 2010

A manager of a restaurant holds the glue that binds the place together. Without a good manager the restaurant will surely fall apart.

The reason being is that the manager is the person that everyone turns to when the place is open. But what makes a good manager? Opinions vary on this question and here are some qualities that we believe a good restaurant manager should have.

The most important quality a manager has is the ability to listen to the other workers. When someone on the floor or in the kitchen is having a problem then the manager must step up and listen carefully to the problem and then find a peaceful way to solve it.

Another important quality of a restaurant manager is to get along with all of the employees. If you have a waitress that you are at odds with, then chances are she will not be performing 100 percent while you are on the floor. People, not matter what profession it is will not work up to 100 percent if the manager is someone that they cannot relate to.

Never slack on the job. Your job is to make sure that the restaurant is in great running order. If you see smooth sailing ahead, take the initiative and ask the guests if they have enjoyed their meal and if there is anything else you can get for them. If they want desert, seek out their waitress and send her over to take the order right away.

Always come to the defense of your staff. If the boss or owner wants to get rid of an employee they feel is not getting the job the job done but you feel differently, then speak up and share your experience with the owner.

Remember that this is not your restaurant and that you work there just like everyone else. Some managers, because they spend all day there at the restaurant and they work so many hours that they forget that they work for someone and they start bossing around the staff and begin making comments that they should not making. So remember you are an employee not the owner.

Create a fun atmosphere; try not to be constantly yelling at the staff. Remember a manager is only as good as the staff. So when the staff is happy then you should be too. It will really reflect on you if everyone works together to make smooth transitions.