Getting hired for the first time as a hotel manager can be a very exciting time. All of that schooling and all of that effort during the job search are finally paying off. As exciting and rewarding as it can be, it can also be a bit terrifying. For many managers, they are about to do something they have never actually done in the real world.
Regardless of the position or department, though, there are few things every manager can do to help ensure success from day one:
Communication
Running a department is like any other relationship you will have in your life in that it will depend upon open and clear communication in order to be successful. There are going to be things you do not know or understand, and that is to be expected, especially for first-time hospitality manager. However, how you communicate with your boss and your staff will more than likely be dramatically different.
For instance, questions about your position should be directed to your direct supervisor. When communicating with your staff, your goals and objectives need to be made clear. At the same time, there is no need to get overly “friendly” with your staff. This can lead to significant problems, as the rumor mill will no doubt run rampant. What you and that employee may perceive as friendly banter can and will be misperceived by other staff members as favoritism. Keep it professional at all times.
You Set the Tone
As the supervisor or head of a department, you are literally the face of that department. You set the tone for how the department is perceived as well as how your employees will act. Simply put, you are the role model for your staff. Everything you do and say will be scrutinized at some level, so keep that in mind when carrying out your duties.
This is what also makes it very important to keep your cool at all times. If you lose your temper with staff or pout and/or panic during difficult or high-tension scenarios, your staff will no doubt follow suit. Think of the leader you want to be and the type of leader you would follow and become that person.
Delegation Will Be Your Friend
New and young managers tend to want to take on everything themselves. This is natural, but it will hurt you in the long run. After all, you will feel as though you need to immediately justify your salary and how better to depend upon than yourself, right? Wrong!
Micromanaging the entire department is actually the best way to make sure absolutely nothing ever gets done. You can bank on the fact you will eventually get bogged down in one area and others will be neglected. Managers need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their support team and delegate properly. There is also the fact nobody likes to be constantly micromanaged. This does not mean you do not follow up, it just means you need to trust your staff to do their jobs while you “manage” the overall department.
A great side effect of delegation is employees start to become empowered to make their own decisions. They are no longer afraid to take initiative and get things done. This obviously needs to be monitored, as you don’t want someone going rogue, but that can be done through daily or weekly review meetings. Remember, there is often more than one way to get from point A to point B, and that employee you trusted with the task may have found an alternative that works better and faster than a solution you could have come up with on your own.
Invest in Your Future
I cannot count the amount of times we have stressed the importance of constantly training your staff. Well, that point also pertains to you. You will only get better at your job and have the potential for promotion through education and training. That college degree is great, but it will not fully prepare you for what lies ahead in your career.
Find yourself a mentor and bleed them dry for information. Seek out professional seminars and training opportunities both within the company and outside you can attend. Believe me, your boss will be thrilled you want to expand your knowledge base and, in many cases, these classes or training sessions will be covered by the hotel.
There is also a wealth of opportunity available online through videos, blogs, and online training academies. Make it a point to spend a specific amount of time each week on furthering your professional education. You do that, and you will be far ahead of most of your competition for that next opportunity.
Are you looking for opportunities in the hospitality industry? Have you ever considered working with a hotel recruiter like Joseph David International? To learn more about how we can help you as well as some of our current opportunities, please click here.
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