Welcome to Morsels, your go-to newsletter from MAJC, breaking down hospitality insights into bite-sized chunks.
This time of year asks a lot from operators. Schedules tighten, pressure rises, and teams look to their leaders for clarity and steadiness. This week, we pulled together tools, episodes, and ideas that help keep teams grounded, grateful, and moving in the same direction. Kevin Gillespie highlights the power of transparent leadership, Katie Flannery breaks down responsibility in a two-minute masterclass, and Will Gilson joins us live today to talk about keeping teams steady through the season.
Let’s dig in.
🎧 LISTEN: Kevin Gillespie on Leading with Transparency and Care
Season 1 of Restaurant Ready wrapped with forty standout interviews. Today, we are revisiting one of our favorites with award-winning chef Kevin Gillespie. He talks openly about recruiting the right people, creating a diverse and supportive workplace, and balancing business realities with true care for employees. His approach blends accountability with compassion, making this episode worth revisiting.
Takeaways
- Recruit intentionally to build a values-aligned team
- Balance business needs with real care for employee well-being
- Lead with transparency so the whole team understands the “why”
- Use real systems that protect mental and physical health
📹 WATCH: Katie Flannery on How to Lead a Family Business with Personal Responsibility
Serving Success is back for another season with a powerhouse first episode featuring Katie Flannery, a third-generation butcher and co-owner of Flannery Beef. Flannery breaks down the leadership habits that keep a family business strong, from protecting quality to making clear, values-driven decisions. These episodes are quick and tactical so you can watch them in between everything else you’re juggling. This one is just two minutes long.
Takeaways
- Take personal responsibility for every product and interaction
- Lead with integrity over short-term profit
- Protect family values through consistent excellence
📖 READ: How to Build a High-Performing Restaurant Team Culture That Lasts
Culture is the daily agreement your team makes about how to show up and treat one another. This article breaks down how top chefs and operators define their values, lead with clarity, and protect their culture for the long haul. It is a practical guide to the habits and decisions that keep teams strong, engaged, and consistent.
Takeaways
- Clarity and consistency from leadership set the tone
- Empowerment builds ownership and accountability
- Feedback and small wins keep teams motivated
- Culture extends beyond the kitchen to support the whole person
☕ LEARN: Expert Session with Chef and Restaurateur Will Gilson
Chef and restaurateur Will Gilson joins Matt Jennings for our monthly live Expert Session. As we close out a month centered on gratitude and head into a busy stretch of the year, this session is a chance to ground yourself in the leadership habits that keep teams steady when the pressure rises.
Bring your questions. Bring your real challenges. Gilson has lived every side of this industry, and this session gives you the space to learn directly from someone who knows how to build and sustain a team for the long haul.
🗓 Today, Wednesday, November 19, 12 pm ET
Cheers,
Your Friends at MAJC
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