It is so hard to get along with all the different personalities and co-workers that you are going to work with for the rest of your life. Whether you’re in an ownership position, a manager, or a line level staff position working your way up, it is just so hard to always get along with people. Sometimes we say things to ourselves like, “I’m right in this case, and I don’t want to apologize.” Our egos get in the way. You believe that you are right so you hold on to anger. Well, guess what? The other person believes that they’re right too and holds on to anger as well. This is what creates these conflicts. 

Here’s the reality, you are going to need other people to achieve your goals or dreams no matter how big, ambitious, or modest those goals and dreams are. If you’re just looking to make a living or to just get through the next week, you need your co-workers for that. If you’re looking to own a giant restaurant empire, you need relationships. As challenging as this is, rather than justifying behaviors by saying things like “You’re right and they’re wrong”, “They don’t work hard enough”, “They don’t understand”, “Why are they so sensitive” and “Why can’t they just shut up and do their job?” Why not just get over it? Let’s get our egos out of the way and just say to yourself “Who cares?” It’s not about being right or wrong. It’s about getting along with each other and getting the results that we need. It’s about getting the project done. It’s about getting through the day. 

There’s a whole bunch of different management and leadership techniques that I can share with you and I can give you this 5 or 7 step plan (join me on Tuesday’s Restaurant Rewind for those), whatever it is that you need. But all I really wanted to do today is let you know that it’s hard to get along with people, but we need them. Next time you are in a situation where you are challenged by a personality or someone who talks to you in a way that you don’t appreciate or responds in a way that you don’t think is right or treats you in a way that you don’t agree with, rather than placing blame just realize it doesn’t really matter and ask yourself what you can do differently next time.

I know you have a list of 30 things that they could do differently next time…but the key is to ask yourself what you could have done differently to make sure this doesn’t happen again in the future. Every time you run into a situation where there’s a little conflict, keep asking yourself what you could have done differently. Sooner or later you’re going to find that you’re getting along with a lot more people and your goals, dreams and aspirations are going to be that much closer for you to achieve. 

How about we just forget about the stress and struggle, about who’s right or who’s wrong, and just focus on what we can do better to prevent this from ever happening again. Let’s get some of that momentum moving behind you so you can have an easier time achieving your goals and your dreams. 

I want you to remember a couple of things: systems create freedom, freedom creates value and value creates scale. I love every single one of you crazy restaurant people out there and until next week have an absolutely amazing day.