29th January 2025
Danny Meyer, a New York Restauranteur was facing an issue managing his staff & ensuring they meet the standards.
He learned a wonderful leadership lesson about leading people from Pat Cetta, the owner of Sparks, a steakhouse located in New York.
Cetta came to visit Meyer at his restaurant, and Meyer was bemoaning the fact that he wasn’t delivering consistent messages to his staff and, as a consequence, they were pushing back and testing limits.
Instead of telling Meyer what to do, Cetta first showed him.
Cetta had Meyer to take everything off a dining table except for a saltshaker in the middle of the table.
Cetta asked him if that was exactly where Meyer wanted it. Meyer checked it, and moved it about a quarter of an inch to the middle of the table.
Immediately, Cetta moved the salt shaker several inches off center, and asked Meyer to return it to the center of the table.
Meyer moved it, and Cetta explained the analogy. He said, “Your staff and your guests are always moving your saltshaker off center. That’s their job. It is the job of life. It’s the law of entropy!”
Cetta warned Meyer that until he understood that relationship, he would continue to get upset when someone moved the saltshaker off center.
Cetta said, “It’s not your job to get upset. You just need to understand: That’s what they do. Your job is just to move the shaker back each time and let them know exactly what you stand for.
Let them know what excellence looks like and if you’re ever willing to let them decide where the center is, then I want you to give them the keys to the store.”
Isn’t life too like that, with everyone moving our salt shaker off center, but instead of getting upset, we should just guide and teach others the difference between center and off center and set things right.
Set your own standards of excellence, don’t get frustrated if the salt shaker is moved off center, always put it back with enthusiasm & kindness & stay blessed forever.