Management in the world of hospitality can be complicated. Not only does a manager have to take care of keeping a business, or an area of the business, running smoothly but the manager will often help grow the business by networking with potential new customers, assisting with customer retention, training new employees and filling in wherever needed if someone is out sick or on a break.
That’s why management training can be so complicated. We have put together a bit of information about how hospitality skills can make you a better manager- surprisingly, even if you aren’t working directly in a hospitality industry.
Growing as a Hospitality Manager
Becoming a manager does not mean that an individual automatically knows everything they need to about how to run a business, keep employees happy and serve customers.
Growing as a manager takes time and effort.
Many of these skills are learned on the job, and the best managers will gain skills through real-world practice. However, by investing in training, a manager or would-be manager can get a leg up on others and may be able to grow and advance in their career a little faster--while providing even better service to customers and employees along the way. Growing as a manager is easier with proper training, especially where hospitality skills are concerned.
Which Hospitality Skills Do Managers Use Most
So, with all of the hospitality skills out there, which ones do managers use most? It will vary quite a bit depending on the field in which they work and the level of management in which they serve, but here are six skills that are must-haves for most managers.
Communication Skills
Being able to communicate effectively with employees, guests, upper management and vendors is a hallmark of a good manager. Growing in communication skills takes practice, but it pays off in a big way.
Language Skills
Language is a big part of communication. As a manager, understanding when to use what words, and learning how to express yourself with others from different backgrounds is a key part of success. Getting a grip on language skills is important.
Empathy Skills
A good manager is empathetic. This means they can understand what their customers and other employees are feeling. With empathy, a manager can get through the difficult situations because they are not only thinking of things from their own perspective, but instead feel from many different angles.
Organization Skills
A well-organized manager is one who will succeed. Management often means that you are the one in charge of covering when someone is missing or on break, so it is vital you’re able to keep up. Plus, you may have to make schedules or charts to keep the business running smoothly on a day to day basis.
Learn more: The future is Affective Hospitality : Discover all the hospitality skills that will be needed in the future.
Leadership Skills
A manager should not be a boss, they should be a leader. Therefore, leadership skills are an important part of being a good manager. Knowing how to get the best from every person in a team is important.
Teamwork Skills
If a manager does not know how to be part of a team, leading it will not usually work out successfully. Teamwork isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone, so learning how to work with others, even if they have different backgrounds or expectations can be a challenge - but it is an important one.
The Best Way to Learn Hospitality Skills
The majority of hospitality skills are “soft skills” which means they are not technical in nature but instead relate to how you work with others. The best way to learn these skills is through practice in a work-like environment. Practical, or hands-on training will enable you to learn these skills in the same environment that they will be used in, but with a knowledgeable teacher available to provide guidance and assistance. Hospitality skills are learned best through practice and only by seeing how real customers and employees react will a manager be able to grow in his or her skillset.
As you can see, there are a lot of ways that hospitality skills can help a manager grow and do the best in his or her job. However, as mentioned, hospitality skills are not like learning how to operate a computer program--they must be learned by doing and taught by professionals who understand the impact.
