How Do Hospitality Leaders Keep Standards High When Teams Are Tired?
November sits in a strange place. Not festive. Not calm. Dark mornings, dark evenings, colds, financial pressure, and the knowledge that December is coming.
This is where standards wobble if leadership goes quiet.
What effective leaders focus on
1. Simplifying priorities
Not lowering standards — making them easier to deliver consistently.
2. Managing energy, not just output
Watching who is overloaded before they burn out.
3. Micro-recognition
Quick, specific appreciation beats big speeches.
4. Taking sickness seriously
Clear hygiene standards, no guilt, no hero culture.
5. Fixing one pain point a week
Small operational wins restore momentum.
Examples that work
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Protecting breaks for one full week
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Adjusting section sizes
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Removing one unnecessary process everyone hates
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Improving pre-shift communication
Useful resources
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Hospitality Action – wellbeing and crisis support
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ACAS – managing sickness and absence fairly
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Internal engagement surveys and pulse checks
Takeaway
November is where good leadership quietly shows up. The work done here is what makes December survivable.
Host & Founder
(Host, 2020– ) Timothy R. Andrews has spent over two decades in hospitality, beginning by collecting glasses in bars and steadily working his way up. After founding and leading a successful recruitment and training business for luxury, 4-star, and 5-star markets for 16 years, Timothy now serves as Head of Talent for Jumeirah Hotels London.
Beyond Jumeirah, Timothy hosts Talking Hospitality, a podcast known for its direct approach to industry issues and practical advice. Each episode tackles real challenges in hospitality today, with guest experts who offer solutions that can be put into action. Through Educating Hospitality, he also provides carefully selected industry-specific training courses that align with podcast topics, helping listeners stay up-to-date and gain practical skills.
Timothy’s work extends into community initiatives as well, including his impactful efforts to support Ukrainian refugees. From guiding them through the complexities of life in the UK to securing jobs, accommodations, and essential services, Timothy’s dedication reflects a belief that hospitality extends beyond the workplace.
Whether listeners want to stay updated on industry trends or learn what’s working in hospitality leadership, Talking Hospitality offers a fresh, entertaining perspective—and is Timothy’s way of giving back to the sector he cares deeply about.
The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of Timothy Andrews and do not reflect the opinions or positions of Jumeirah or any associated brands. Timothy Andrews is speaking in his persona… Read More
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