🧠 Leadership Isn’t a Title It’s a Daily Behavior

🍽️ Why the Best Leadership Happens Around the Table

The Leadership Table: - Powered by A Student of Leadership, UniPro Foodservice and our Leadership Development Program.

Where Food Industry Leaders Are Made – One Habit at a Time!

🎯 Quick – Timely – Impactful Lessons of Leadership

🍽️ The Opening Bite

In a kitchen, no one’s respected just for wearing the chef’s coat — they earn it by showing up, plating with care, and leading through action. Leadership is no different. It’s not about your title. It’s about how you show up, consistently, every day.

Here’s the truth: leadership isn’t defined by how loudly you speak or how many people report to you.

It’s defined by what your team feels after every interaction with you.

🧠 Want real influence? It’s not about charisma or control — it’s about credibility, connection, and consistency.

Let’s break down 10 core habits of behavior-first leaders — the kind who don’t just hold authority… they earn trust.

🧠 Leadership Insight: 10 Behaviors That Build Real Influence

Let’s flip the leadership script from title-based to behavior-based:

1. Consistency > Intensity
   ❌ Big bursts of inspiration, then disappear
   ✅ Show up consistently — especially when no one’s watching

2. Listen > Speak
   ❌ Always being the loudest in the room
   ✅ Ask, pause, absorb. Active listening is influence.

3. Vulnerability = Strength
   ❌ Acting flawless to maintain control
   ✅ “I messed up” builds more loyalty than “I know everything”

4. Grow Others to Grow Yourself
   ❌ Hoarding knowledge to stay important
   ✅ Teach, coach, elevate others — they’ll return the favor tenfold

5. Lead by Example, Always
   ❌ “Do as I say, not as I do”
   ✅ Be the first to show up, pitch in, and admit when you’re wrong

6. Communicate Clearly and Often
   ❌ Withholding info until chaos hits
   ✅ Share the why, the how, and the what now

7. Make the Hard Call
   ❌ Avoiding decisions to stay liked
   ✅ Clarity beats consensus. Own the call.

8. Stay Curious
   ❌ Thinking you've arrived
   ✅ Ask, learn, evolve — leaders are learners, not knowers

9. Celebrate Everything
   ❌ Only acknowledging major wins
   ✅ Highlight small steps. Momentum builds loyalty.

10. Own It All
    ❌ Pointing fingers when things go south
    ✅ Step up. Leaders take blame and share praise.

💡 Remember: Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.

🛠 Habits That Stick: What to Do More (and Less) of This Week

🍋 Do More Of This
✔️ Show up with consistency — be seen, heard, and predictable
✔️ Invite feedback by asking “How did I do today?”
✔️ Recognize effort daily, not just achievement
✔️ Make one uncomfortable but necessary decision
✔️ Admit a recent mistake and how you’re learning from it

🍋 Do Less of This
❌ Talking over others
❌ Avoiding hard conversations
❌ Micromanaging or staying distant
❌ Expecting results without recognition
❌ Hiding behind your title instead of modeling behavior

🧭 Influence isn’t granted. It’s earned through repeated, reliable behaviors.

📚 Real Story: From Line Cook to Leader

A sous chef in a busy hotel kitchen had no formal authority — but she was the most respected person on the line.

Why?

She showed up 15 minutes early every shift. She cleaned up after others without a word. She celebrated even the smallest first-timers who nailed a sauce or learned a new prep.

When she made a mistake? She owned it — loudly — so no one else would get the blame.

Eventually, the executive chef tapped her to lead a new restaurant launch. Not because of her resume — but because everyone trusted her.

Lesson? Leadership isn’t about the nameplate. It’s about daily actions that say, "I’ve got you."

💬 Reflection Questions

• Which of these 10 habits am I strongest in — and which one do I avoid?

• When was the last time I truly listened without trying to solve or fix?

• What’s one way I could celebrate a small team win this week?

• Have I led with vulnerability lately — or avoided it to protect my image?

🚀 Action Challenge of the Week

🎯 Pick 1 of the 10 Behaviors to Practice Daily
📝 Write it down. Post it on your desk, calendar, or screensaver.
🔁 Reinforce it. Ask a colleague to hold you accountable this week.
💬 Reflect Friday: What changed when you focused on this one behavior?

🔁 Leadership Habit of the Week
🎯 The “Mirror Check” Behavior Habit
Before each interaction this week, ask yourself:

🪞*“What behavior am I about to model right now?”*
Then finish the moment with:
🪞*“Did I live the leadership I expect from others?”*

Why it works: Influence is a mirror — it reflects what you consistently show, not what you say.

✅ Mirror the behavior you want repeated. Model it daily.

🔎 One Last Bite of Curiosity

What if your team isn’t looking for a “boss”…
But a consistent, clear, human example of how to show up?

What if real influence isn’t loud, but felt?

And what if the best thing you can do to earn their respect…
Is just keep your promises, show up fully, and say, “How can I help?”

Start asking:
👂 Am I listening to understand, or waiting to reply?
👣 Am I walking the talk, or hiding behind my title?
💡 Am I modeling the leader I wish I had?

Because leadership isn't earned by position.
It's proven by behavior.

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