One of the most powerful things an organization can do is creating a culture where giving and receiving feedback becomes the norm… but that means both kinds of feedback. Because while praise is affirmation, criticism is investment. #unreasonablehospitality
A couple weeks ago I came on here and asked people to send in stories of Unreasonable Hospitality, from the serving or receiving end, because I believe that hearing these stories can inspire us all to be more creative and intentional in our pursuit of connection and graciousness. We have received so many amazing notes, which I can’t wait to share in the coming months… But for now, I’m excited to present the the first installment of “Unreasonable Hospitality- Out in The World.” This one submitted by Trevor Easter (@photobraggins) of Sacramento, California. Send in more stories to [email protected]! #unreasonablehospitality
The smallest enhancements to the least likely touch points in the guest experience can have the biggest impact. @fiveguys #unreasonablehospitality
Just because you can’t easily measure the return on an investment doesn’t mean it’s not worth investing in (the rule of 95/5.) Footage from my time at the Ideas We Should Steal Festival by @thephiladelphiacitizen #unreasonablehospitality
Listen to EVERY idea- give them all a chance to breathe. Because sometimes the ones that seem the most outlandish have the capacity to be the most transformative. #unreasonablehospitality (an except from Perspectives- with @monicasuh and @campariacademy)
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT- I have a new book coming out (!!) I’ve been so honored by the response I’ve received since the release of Unreasonable Hospitality- I’m so grateful for all the support. That said, there are many who have reached out to me with less than stellar reviews/ who have complained that the lessons and ideas I shared were too aspirational… too ambitious. They wanted to create a culture of graciousness and generosity, but one that didn’t require trying so hard, or giving so much. That for some this book was the equivalent of a college freshman taking a level 400 class. And so, my publishers and I are excited to announce the upcoming release of REASONABLE HOSPITALITY (!!) for sale October 25th this year. It’s a book for those whose goal is not to create the kind of memories that last a lifetime, just to have a simple transaction… for those who don’t want to go above and beyond, who are just trying to not make people angry… for those who want to deliver on expectations, but not a single thing more… for those that are simply looking to maintain the status quo. Some sections I’m particularly excited about- “One Size Fits All” “Passive Listening” “The Importance of Being Right” “Vulnerability is a Weakness” “The Rule of 100/0” and “Service is Black and White, Hospitality is also Black and White” I’m beyond excited about this project, I hope you are too. Can’t wait for you to check it out this fall! #reasonablehospitality
“Take what you do seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously.” Brian Canlis has been one of my closest friends since college, and his family‘s restaurant Canlis in Seattle is one the best in the entire world. I’ve dined there many times and he dined in my restaurants many times. We both are always looking to one another for feedback. You see things when you’re in someone else’s business that are harder to see when you’re in your own- fresh perspective and all that. One night, years ago, I gave him a small piece of feedback that the sign saying “PULL” on the inside of the men’s bathroom door was in need of an update. They’d been making design changes to the restaurant for a few years at that point, and that sign now felt out of place- the font was from their old branding, it felt cheap, etc. What did he do? Remade the EXACT same sign, but with the addition of this new line at the top. 😂 All to say… the more accolades you receive, the more high end your brand is perceived to be, the more excellent you become… the more important it is to maintain a sense of humor. And in the event you find yourself in Seattle and are wondering- yes, the bathrooms at @canlisrestaurant are open to the public. #unreasonablehospitality
I think we all have a short list of people who have meaningfully inspired the way we see the world- people whose ideas landed at pivotal moments in our lives. My dad gave me The Tipping Point by @malcolmgladwell when I was a senior in college- I didn’t read books like that then, but he insisted- and I absolutely DEVOURED every word. About seven years later he gave me a copy of Give and Take by @adamgrant, and it impacted the way I approached both life and work from that point forward. So the idea that the two of them, along with @susancainauthor and @danielpink, just named my book a MUST READ through their @nextbigideaclub feels so freaking surreal. The club carefully selects authors who are bringing forth new ideas that we should all be paying attention to — and apparently the idea of Unreasonable Hospitality is one of them (!!) This one really hits home- dad is gonna be proud ❤️ #unreasonablehospitality
Rules are important, creating a framework of controls within an organization is needed to ensure everyone is rowing in the same direction. But controls and creativity are NOT friends, and too many can stand in the way of genuine connection. Remember what you’re actually trying to achieve as an organization, and make sure your systems aren’t making it harder to achieve it. Some advice: every once in a while, take the time to interrogate your list of rules and prove that every single one still deserves to exist. You might be surprised by how many no longer do. Footage from my time at the Ideas We Should Steal Festival by @thephiladelphiacitizen #unreasonablehospitality
Whatever business you’re in, if you work with people, you can make the choice to be in the hospitality industry. Our ingredients may be different, but the recipe is the same. All it takes is being intentional and creative in pursuit of connection… being relentless in pursuit of relationships… being unreasonable in pursuit of hospitality #unreasonablehospitality
It’s a close tie between Danny Meyer and my dad for greatest mentor – so I had to mention them both in my opening remarks at last year’s Welcome Conference. I always think of them when I need a reminder that hospitality is a team sport – it doesn’t matter what industry you’re in – we’re all in this together. Thanks for following along our Welcome 2023 recap – we’re getting excited for this year and hope you are too!
This is fun. Was in San Francisco with @simonsinek yesterday and the two of us did talks for a pretty amazing company called DGDG- a forward thinking, people first, car dealer group. They did something really creative- they had an artist (@blipstudio) drawing the talks in real time so they would have something to tap back into over the course of the year to come- a beautiful reminder that building culture is a practice, not a one day activity. Was really cool to see my words presented in this way. (And also reminded me of when the OG Dreamweaver @ekparkinson illustrated her first meal at EMP) Hope you enjoy 🙏#unreasonablehospitality
Annnnd it’s all out in the world- ready to binge. Final two episodes of The Big Brunch are now available for your viewing pleasure on @hbomax. This show was so fun to make- the experience truly was restorative for me to be a part of. Every single person — from the ten awesome chefs, to the producers, to wardrobe and HMU, to the director, to the entire crew, to my lovely co-judges/ new best friends — was so talented (and so KIND!) I’m obviously biased, but I think we made something pretty cool. If you’re looking for a tv show that feels like a warm bath on a cold day, check it out. ❤️🍳 #thebigbrunch
I’ve getting a bunch of requests for signed copies of Unreasonable Hospitality, so I teamed up with the crew at one of my favorite bookstores in the world- Kitchen Arts and Letters- to make it a bit easier to make that happen. Was there yesterday signing books, they are now locked and loaded and ready to accommodate your holiday needs. Link to order in bio. Happy all of the things! ❤️🙏🎁 #unreasonablehospitality
Sunset Blvd (!!) ➡️ Times Square (!!!) The Big Brunch starts streaming on @hbomax TOMORROW! 💪🙏❤️
Sunset Blvd (!!) ➡️ Times Square (!!!) The Big Brunch starts streaming on @hbomax TOMORROW! 💪🙏❤️
Storytelling is one the most powerful ways to put ideas into the world… simply hearing someone share a story of hospitality and graciousness can inspire people to be more hospitable… to be more gracious. Every one of us could stand to be inspired, and so many of you (regardless of what industry you’re in) have inspirational stories to share. So if you’ve experienced a gesture of Unreasonable Hospitality (on either the service or the receiving end) we want you to share it with us, so we can share it here! Help us amp up the conversation by emailing us at [email protected]. Can’t wait to talk about all the beautiful acts of kindness happening in the world. #unreasonablehospitality
Working on something cool with @simonsinek and his team, featuring a guest appearance from the one and only Frank Guidara (!!) Coming soon… 🙃 #unreasonablehospitality
Okay- this is insane. Unreasonable Hospitality is NUMBER THREE (!!) on the @wsj best seller list! What a feeling of incredible affirmation- only possible because of your collective support. Thank you all SO MUCH for picking up a copy and for taking the time to read. I don’t take it for granted… it means the world. Releasing a book has proven to be an unexpectedly vulnerable experience- you invest so much time and energy writing it, with no sense of how it will be received. It truly brings me such joy to know that people are enjoying the stories connecting with its message. Sincerely, I APPRECIATE YOU! #unreasonablehospitality
Had the pleasure of sitting down with my good friend @davidsolomon, CEO of @goldmansachs, to talk about Unreasonable Hospitality — and how the remarkable impact it can have extends far beyond the restaurant industry. Was a great conversation, link in bio. #unreasonablehospitality
THREE new episodes of #thebigbrunch now streaming (with a very special guest who happens to be a very special friend of mine from NYC.) Check it out now on @hbomax. 💪🍳🥓
Public Service Announcement: I did not write these workbooks about Unreasonable Hospitality/ and they are TERRIBLE. Do not buy. But also- with a simple perspective shift I went from being so mad that they existed and that someone ripped off my work to feeling pretty darn flattered that someone would even bother to (in spite of how bad they are.) A beautiful reminder that sometimes all it takes to change your mood is to allow yourself look at the world through a slightly different lens. #unreasonablehospitality (the book not the workbook 😂)
First dual review of the book AND the show is out — and it’s… well… pretty savage.
One of the best ways to show love for someone is to show love to someone they love. This was just one of many thoughtful gestures from a (date) night filled with unreasonable hospitality. So much appreciation for Greg Windrem and the entire team at Deer Mountain Inn. 🙏 #unreasonablehospitality
