Sarah Diehls Guide to Building Vibrant Hospitality Teams in the Post-COVID Era

The hospitality industry has been through an unprecedented period of change and disruption due to the global pandemic. As the world begins to gradually open up again, the hospitality sector must move forward with a strategy to create strong and thriving teams in this new post-pandemic world.

Creating a successful team requires more than just hiring employees, training them, and setting them off to work. It requires creating an environment that supports and encourages personal growth and development. The right culture and team dynamics can make all the difference; employees are more likely to enjoy and perform better in roles when they feel supported and fulfilled.

First, it’s important to ensure that front-line hospitality employees understand the importance of their role. It’s essential to foster a culture where employees are encouraged to take ownership of their tasks and responsibilities and to participate in decision-making. Providing clear guidance and assigning team members with specific duties and objectives can help maximize employee performance.

Second, leading hospitality companies should project a distinct identity to attract and retain employees. Highlighting what makes the business unique — be it its customer service approach, quality of staff or eco-friendly initiatives — can encourage people to join and stay with the team.

Third, effective learning and development (L&D) programs must be put in place to help develop and nurture employee skills. These programs need to be tailored to the culture and capabilities of the team; for example, in many cases, technological and linguistic limitations may mean digital training must be complemented with hands-on learning.

Finally, it’s important to recognize and address other key issues that can affect an employee’s wellbeing, such as alcohol and drug abuse, addiction, and depression. Such problems can have a negative effect on both workplace morale and productivity, so any signs of trouble should be identified and addressed as soon as possible.

As the hospitality industry looks towards a post-pandemic future, it’s essential to recognize that people must remain at the center of the sector’s success. With the right measures in place, hospitality teams can become stronger and more productive in the future.