January 2026
Preparation
“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”
– John Wooden
OVERVIEW
Preparation is one of the most underrated keys to success. It’s not always flashy or urgent, but it’s what allows us to show up with confidence, lead with clarity, and adapt when things don’t go as planned. In hospitality (and in life) the difference between chaos and calm often comes down to how well we’ve prepared. This month, we’re focusing on preparation not just as a task, but as a mindset that empowers us, supports our teams, and sets the stage for excellence.
“READY FOR ANYTHING” ACTIVITY
PURPOSE:
To help teams assess how well they prepare for challenges, highlight gaps in planning or communication, and improve their ability to anticipate, adapt, and act.
SETUP:
Time: 45–60 minutes
Group size: Ideal for teams of 4–6 people
Materials: Flip charts or whiteboards, markers, printed scenario cards (or verbal prompts)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Give each team a hypothetical (but realistic) scenario related to your industry or company. Their job is to develop a response plan as if it were happening tomorrow.
Examples:
A major event gets canceled due to weather.
Your POS system crashes during peak hours.
A VIP guest arrives two hours early, and nothing is set.
You lose 30% of your staff unexpectedly one week before a big event.
A public review goes viral in a negative way.
Each team must:
Identify the top 3 immediate actions they’d take.
List what they wish they could/would have prepared in advance.
Outline how they’d avoid this situation in the future.
AS THE FACILITATOR:
Break your group into teams of 4-6 people, give each team a unique scenario, and allow 5-10 minutes to develop their response plan ensuring they include responses to the 3 requirements above. Then, go around the room and have each team share their scenario and responses. Allow space for others to challenge or strengthen the response plans of others!