It was a busy restaurant at dinner time. I anticipated a delay in service and a crowded noisy experience. Then I met Kenton. He came to our table and I knew something was different. He smiled and seemed eager to truly take care of us while we were dining at his restaurant. Don’t get me wrong, he was not the owner of the establishment, but he owned our service. He knew the menu and expertly explained how the dishes were prepared. When I asked about his favorite dish, he responded by saying that he favored a variety of dishes for different reasons. He explained not just what he liked but why he would choose that particular dish. His attention to detail was amazing and made me feel like he had a vested interest in making our dinner excellent.
The restaurant manager came to our table to check on us and tell us a bit more about our server. He said that Kenton started in the kitchen and has grown into this role. He said what sets Kenton apart from others is his love for people and his desire to provide quality care for each of his customers. The manager was his biggest cheerleader.
A regular dinner had turned into a lesson on leading with excellence. Kenton's ownership attitude was nothing short of inspirational. His manager's validation was evidence of a healthy and supportive culture.
Choose to own your job with excellence and you will make a difference!
Larry
