Article
6 min read
7 ways to motivate, engage and retain your hospitality team
Thomas Dibble
Apr 28, 2025
What's on the menu?
For many of us in the hospitality industry, work isn't just a job – it's a passion. But it can be tricky to maintain that spark when you’re constantly faced with demanding schedules and fluctuating workloads. They can leave team members feeling more burnt out than fired up.
In Fired up, not burnt out – our new, free toolkit for putting burnout on ice, once and for all – we’ve uncovered a worrying pattern; 73% of team members don't feel motivated to perform at their best. As leaders, it’s up to us to create a positive, engaging environment where our teams are able to bring their best selves to work.
While keeping spirits high during slow periods – a struggle for 40% of managers – might seem daunting, a truly engaged team is the bedrock of any successful business. That's why we’ve pulled together seven tips on how you can motivate, engage and retain your valuable team members.
Seven strategies for creating a fired up team
1. Prioritise wellbeing and address employee stress
Remember that your team members have lives and responsibilities outside of work. Show that you value their overall wellbeing by being a good listener and fostering open communication about stress and work/life balance. A little empathy goes a long way in building trust and loyalty.
2. Celebrate team success
Create a culture of appreciation by acknowledging and celebrating achievements. This could be through small rewards, positive feedback, or even spontaneous team gatherings. When someone goes the extra mile, make sure everyone knows it. Recognise milestones and celebrate team wins.
3. Champion your team's achievements
Implement a regular program – monthly or quarterly – to recognise and reward exceptional employees. This could involve an award, a gift card, a special badge, or even a feature on your social media channels. Public recognition is a powerful motivator and can inspire others.
4. Help your team grow
Alarmingly, 45% of employees feel they don’t have a career path or the necessary training to advance. Combat this by actively encouraging your team to pursue additional training and by clearly outlining potential routes for professional growth within your organisation. Investing in their development demonstrates your commitment and fosters greater dedication.
5. Inject energy with challenges
Work shouldn't be boring. Spice things up with friendly competitions and team challenges. Think "Best Upsell of the Week" or "Fastest Table Turnover (with Excellent Service)". Start a scoreboard and introduce challenges to maintain momentum, even during quieter periods.
6. Address conflict quickly – and fairly
Don't let conflicts fester. Establish clear guidelines and procedures for resolving disputes and ensure that every team member feels heard and respected when issues arise. Addressing conflict quickly and fairly builds a more harmonious and trusting work environment.
7. Lead with respect
Sounds obvious, but it's crucial. Treat every member of your team with dignity and respect, regardless of their role. Listen to their ideas, value their contributions and recognise their hard work. A culture of mutual respect is fundamental to building a motivated and engaged team.
A motivated team doesn’t appear overnight. It requires consistent effort and a genuine commitment to your people. However, the rewards are significant. An engaged team translates to better guest experiences, increased customer loyalty, and most importantly, a more stable and thriving workforce. We all want to retain our most valuable assets, and a fired-up team is far less likely to walk out the door.
Download the guide to extinguishing burnout
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