In the 90's a regional manager posed a question, a riddle to me that left me stumped. No matter how I wrestled with the idea, I couldn't understand what the answer could be. And for me, this was irritating.
I was overwhelmed at work, trying to turn a kitchen around. Control food cost, reduce labor costs, improve overall quality and service. I had very few qualified employees that I felt I could trust the daily execution to, let alone, see the company goals for my restaurant.
I had to rethink my strategies but anyone that has been in a similar situation knows that it seems impossible sometimes when there is a new fire that needs put out popping up daily and in reality, almost hourly.
I have an analytical mind. I also have a work ethic and the stamina that surprises many at the energy i can put out trying to achieve a goal. What I needed was direction.
The regional came in. I expressed my frustration He knew I wanted to be good at what I did. He knew that I wanted to arrive. He knew that I needed to grow first before I could comprehend what goal setting was all about. He knew how to speak to me at my level.
"Andy, imagine a swimming pool covered in ping pong balls. Your job will be to get all the balls under the water, all at the same time. All by yourself."
My mind started racing because I knew there was an answer and that it could be done. But as I came up with one crazy idea after another, my analytical mind dismissed it as an impossibility. Buoyancy, physics, volume, weight, nothing worked, in my problem solving skills. I gave up even though I knew it could be done.
I have told this story to almost every employee that I have hired in the last 30 years for 2 reasons. One to be the same type of teacher that John was for me and secondly, to find that mind that could work out the answer by themselves.
"Take one ball Andy, poke a hole in it. Hold it under the water until it fills up. Move on to the next one.
One thing at a time and fix it for good.
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