“Driven by Why”
In hospitality, there’s a meaningful period of time before the doors open. Glasses and silverware are polished until they catch the light. The hostess reviews the reservations, already imagining the flow of the evening. Bussers set their stations, and chefs finish the final touches on their prep-work. In this moment, there’s an unspoken understanding of what needs to be done to arrive at service ready. Though it may feel routine, this time sets the tone for the service that follows and shapes the pace, the energy, and the cohesion that will carry the team through the night.
Systems and structure are core attributes of successful restaurants, but a thriving restaurant isn’t held together by systems alone. It’s driven by a clear, purposeful why, by people who believe in that why, and by a shared commitment to do the work needed to bring it to life, night after night. Hospitality has long relied on measurable systems, but a holistic lens invites us to look deeper: toward the people and environments within those systems, and the invisible dynamics that shape a team’s success. Beyond metrics and margins are the immeasurables: trust, alignment, and purpose. It is here that the strongest teams are truly built.
To understand team dynamics, we have to rethink what we mean by “team.” The old-school approach defined a team solely by roles, hierarchy, schedules, numbers, and output, an approach rooted more in control than connection. Responsibilities were rigid, leaving little room for curiosity, collaboration, or shared ownership. Egos often took the lead, silencing thoughtful and creative voices and narrowing both perspective and potential.
In these environments, fear can become the main motivator: fear of making mistakes, fear of speaking up, fear of losing one’s job. It might drive short-term results, even profitability, but it comes at a cost. Over time, teams grow disconnected from one another and from the company’s why. What remains is a fragile culture that functions on the surface but lacks purpose, resilience, and cohesion.
There’s a misconception that holistic restaurant environments are soft, less disciplined, or less focused on results. The truth is the exact opposite, they are rigidly intentional. Holistic environments build structure and systems that support people, not control them. Leadership exists to create clarity, direction, and shared purpose, and the growth of the business is seen as a collective process. In a holistic setting, everyone understands how their work contributes to the bigger picture. Purpose-driven environments foster loyalty, motivation, and pride in the work being done.
Success in this model is measured beyond just output and numbers. Performance and results matter, yes, but strong company culture and alignment are at the core. When pressure rises, as it inevitably does in hospitality, aligned teams respond with cohesion rather than collapse. Purpose replaces ego, and connection becomes what carries service forward. At the heart of these teams is a deep, shared why and a vision that resonates and motivates everyone.
Creating a Why That Resonates
Your personal why and the why of your business, is like a roadmap. When the way ahead feels unsteady, when life feels overwhelming, your why becomes the compass that guides you forward.
Developing your why doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, reflection, and honesty with yourself. It is shaped in the deep parts of who we are, often before we can even put it into words. Yet it’s usually the thing that makes the most sense, and sometimes the only thing that does. It’s that quiet voice that keeps telling you that something more is possible.
For some, their why is shaped through hardship, the nights spent wondering how to put food on the table, or the days when they questioned everything. For others, it grows from a legacy they’re determined to honor. Their why is a conscious choice to carry that torch, to take the values, vision, and love they inherited, and turn it into something tangible. Your why becomes a compass, a source of strength, and the heartbeat that keeps you going when the work gets hard.
Your personal why and the why of your business don’t need to match perfectly. But understanding your own often changes everything. Soon you’ll notice your choices, your energy, and your attention begin to shift and align with it. You’re driven to create something meaningful, to make the world around you better, and to turn the lessons you’ve lived through into fuel for those around you.
