April 25th 2021

We are in the most amazing transient world with brands, leaders and opportunities abound

For those of us at a certain age moving jobs and changing jobs was somewhat frowned up, traditionally we would follow in our forefather’s footsteps as a farrier, soldier, doctor, certainly not a waiter or bartender. As the son and grandson of a school master, teaching was the last thing I wanted to do; in-fact all I wanted to do was what I wanted to do. That was to be a master craftsman like my great grandfather, an eminent master carver and cabinet maker. Alas, I couldn’t secure an apprenticeship and I ended up in front of a restaurant manager who asked me why I wanted to be a waiter. I had never been in a five star restaurant, let alone knew what a commis waiter was, but I needed a job. I told him that I didn’t want to be a waiter, I wanted to be a restaurant manager, and I wanted him to teach me and give me the opportunity. It looked pretty cool, I had no idea what I was about to do but over the next two years I worked double shifts in the restaurant, kitchen, room service etc and learned my craft the hard way.

My job for life started there, where two people took a leap of faith in each other. I was thinking big and I encourage people – leaders and future leaders – to think the same. To trust, think big and work hard towards your North Star.

My daughter is a teacher now. She has changed roles because her leaders have short term vision which surprises me as schools are the bedrock futures, I have changed roles because I have been driven and am driven. I recall being interviewed once and my prospective President asked me why I had changed roles so much when I worked in England. I had a boss who I met in the same hotel I started in and he hired me because I was the only one engaging at the tables really. I knew that if I worked the tables hard I would earn better tips, have more fun and I would soon be on to my next eight hour shift in the kitchen; trust me, I networked the tables hard. I knew I’d meet people who were smarter than me and one day, one of them would find me a better job. This new boss drove me hard, I worked my heart out in roles I thrived in and I continued to dream for the next and bigger role which I always attained. I have an enquiring and curious mind, have a passion to learn from my team and people around me, even in an interview I’m learning which in ‘that’ later interview he didn’t really want to learn about me, he wanted me to hear about him. I learned a lot from that half hour.    

When I interviewed, I looked for future leaders. If they were going to be waiters today, could they be a manager tomorrow; what is their rookie, natural skill and how could I develop that alongside their core role making them talented leaders and enabling me at the same time to grow my career which was never a secret, growth is a shared goal.

So what is all this about? Our industry is one for life. As our forefathers would have wished. We are in the most amazing transient world with brands, leaders and opportunities abound. Years ago, I trusted someone I just met, I dreamt BIG, worked my heart out and achieved. I also messed up along the way, but in messing up I learned and made sure I didn’t mess up again. 

Dream big, look in the eyes of your people and coach them into their natural roles and enable them to thrive, your customers, their families, your shareholders will love you for it.  

David Singleton has worked in the hospitality and retail industry around the world as a brand builder, creator, operator, franchisee, and franchisor for some of the world’s best known and respected brands. He moderates, speaks, writes, advises and mentors across the hospitality and service sectors globally. Find out more at www.sociusgroup.com, www.davidsingleton.work, and @singletoncity