Being a professional bartender is a demanding job that requires a lot of hard work and dedication. It's no surprise that many bartenders struggle to stay motivated and inspired in their industry. Fortunately, there are several ways to help bartenders stay motivated and inspired. Appointing a supportive head waiter or bar manager is key to inspiring the rest of your staff.
This person should be someone who is passionate about the industry and can provide guidance and support to the rest of the team. Setting goals and a performance plan for your waiters can go a long way in increasing motivation. Work with your waiter to focus on areas of opportunity, whether it's customer service or honing their craft. Make sure that the objectives are SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
Scheduling regular visits with your staff to reflect on progress, barriers, etc. is also important for keeping them motivated. Offering your waiters a challenge that working through is key to empowerment and motivation. Co-sponsoring activities such as spin classes, climbing trips and yoga sessions with alcoholic beverage companies can help inspire your waiters to prioritize their health.
It's also important to provide them with all the support they need from management to maintain that positive and patient attitude. Adam Weisblatt, CEO of Last Word Hospitality, cites a passion for the art of food, drink, service and caring for people as the way he stays motivated. Victoria James asks 52 wine professionals to evaluate the physical activity required by their jobs and then compares it between industries. Aaron Polsky, head waiter at Harvard & Stone in Hollywood and a seven-time Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award nominee, says his internal motivation comes from growing up in a high-pressure household. These are just some of the ways professional bartenders can stay motivated and inspired in their industry. By appointing a supportive head waiter or bar manager, setting goals and performance plans, offering challenges, co-sponsoring activities with alcoholic beverage companies, providing support from management, and having a passion for the art of food, drink, service and caring for people, bartenders can stay motivated and inspired in their industry.
