Endurance Over Speed: Why Managing for the First Time Feels Like a Marathon.

Have you ever heard the saying “There’s a first time for everything”? 

Well, it applies not only to our daily life and new adventures but also to the business world.

More specifically, in the world of hospitality. 

When you work in this industry, you know that there will never be two days the same. “The unknown” or the unexpected moments become more common and regular than our scheduled meetings. 

Therefore, there will always be a time for your first mistake, first missed deadline, first upset guest, and first frustration. Now, they’re not all negative because you’ll also have the first compliment from a guest, your first sale or commission, or your first promotion. 

But one particular moment in hospitality will make you see everything with a new set of eyes: being a first-time manager. 

If you’re reading this and you’ve been a manager before, I’d like you to remember what it felt like. And if you haven’t been a manager before, let me paint you a picture. 

When you work in hospitality as an employee, you know that there’s always someone watching out for you. You know that there’s someone to guide you, train you, and nurture you. That person is your manager. 

This person has enormous responsibility toward the business, the employees, and the guests. A manager is the mastermind behind what every guest sees. 

One of the many characteristics of a great manager is being able to multitask and handle whatever the day throws at you. Most of the time, a manager deals with situations that they didn’t sign up for. They deal with everything concerning a guest or an employee. 

It’s a lot to have on your plate, isn’t it?

Stepping from employee to manager is a huge change. Not only will it change your salary, uniform, or parking spot, but it will also change your perspective. 

Once you take that leap, becoming a manager is like running a marathon. Or a race. 

First of all, you have to make sure you’re carrying all the right equipment. You bring your experience, knowledge, and, most importantly, your team. 

Your team represents you as a manager—the people you chose to come along and reach the same goal: creating memorable guest experiences.

In that equipment you’re carrying, you have to ensure you’re prepared in case it rains or it’s humid or hot outside during the race. You have to be ready for all kinds of situations and respond in the best way possible. As a manager, you learn to prioritize and select practical ways to resolve issues; that is another of the excellent skills a manager should possess. 

The path might seem exhausting as you’re running that marathon, but you must keep your eyes on the finish line. This is what makes you stay focused and motivated. As a manager, you know where you’re going. You know why you’re doing things the way you do. Even on the busiest days or during the longest shifts, you can keep your eyes on the prize and motivate yourself and those around you.

In the beginning, it might feel a bit weird to know that you’re the one leading now. Knowing that you’re the person people can now follow as an example is as big of a task as a reward. 

And we know that the higher the risk, the bigger the reward. This doesn’t mean that being a manager means making no mistakes. On the contrary, when you become a manager, you learn something from every mistake. You recognize the importance of turning a stressful situation into a learning opportunity because the next time it happens, you’ll be able to handle it even better. 

Being a manager for the first time is a nerve-wracking experience for many, but it is one of the best ways to practice empathy, leadership, and gratitude. 

Empathy, because you learn to see how others see. You get to understand how other people around you are feeling and the difference this makes. 

Leadership because actions speak louder than words. When the rest of your team sees you in action, they do not doubt whether or not they’d be able to do the same things you do. Being a leader is being able to make a difference and a positive impact on people’s lives. 

And gratitude because you get to appreciate people, time, and resources. You understand the value we all bring to the table; you know how precious time is and the importance of being a good administrator of resources. 

Being a manager for the first time will prepare you for your next role and make you see everything with a new perspective.