How Positive Leadership Transforms High-Demand Periods in the Catering Industry

December marks one of the busiest times of the year for caterers around the world. There are company parties, year-end celebrations, and hosts who invite friends and family to gather in their homes. The common thread between all of these events is food and drinks, so it makes sense that the need for catered meals, service, rentals, and decor is in high demand. While everyone else is celebrating, our industry takes pride in creating memorable experiences for those who get to attend these gatherings. From tax season for accountants to summer vacations for theme parks, golf courses, and airlines almost every industry has peak times that they must ramp up for. How leaders approach these seasons is what differentiates the experience for their team members.

A leader’s attitude toward these times sets the tone and creates either positive or negative energy within the organization. Dreading how hard it will be in anticipation of the season, casts doom and gloom over everyone starting a wave of negativity before preparation has even begun to take place. And when the events finally arrive, people continue to vent about how much they have to work, how hard their schedules are, and how difficult their job is. There are times when we all need to get something off our chest and vent, but this type of venting can be toxic. One person can literally poison the team and bring everyone down.

Contrast this with the leader who acknowledges what is on the horizon and talks about it in a positive way. Who highlights an opportunity to do something special, to break a record, to be part of the history of the company, or to make a difference in someone’s life. An approach that lifts everyone’s spirits with positivity and encouragement. It’s not about downplaying the challenge at hand; it’s about reframing how you look at it. Organizations that have leaders who choose this path, build cultures that people want to be part of. They navigate their busy season much more smoothly than the companies whose leaders choose the former. And they can navigate the unexpected challenges that are sure to pop up with ease and a “can do” approach to finding solutions.

Cognitive reframing is a tool often used by therapists but can be practiced independently as a helpful way to turn problems or negative thoughts into opportunities for change and growth. With practice, you can learn to remind yourself that your initial conclusion or thought is only one possible explanation. Start by asking yourself questions like, "Is there another way to look at this situation?" or “How will this situation help our organization?” The next step is to minimize the use of extreme language. Words like always, never, everything, and nothing are rarely good barometers for measuring the facts. Taking time to examine the evidence of the situation and what is actually needed will help provide clarity around a path to success and make the situation feel much more manageable. Finally, shifting perspective on timing can help shine a light on the positive. With questions like, “What have we done in the past that will make us successful in the future?” Or “What would it look like to have a successful busy season?” Allow us to move back and forth between the past and the future to get a broader view of the season upon us.

It’s not always easy to be the cheerleader, but great leaders find ways to maintain this positive tone even in the toughest situations. By practicing a little bit of cognitive reframing, we can be that bright light and make the busy season much more enjoyable for our teams. And when our team members are smiling, having fun, and enjoying what they are doing, they are much more likely to provide outstanding service to our clients and their guests.

How do you reframe your perspective when things get busy? Share with us in the comments below!