#HospitalityLeadership

How Dare You Give a Bad Review

How Dare You Give a Bad Review

Bad reviews often say more about the reviewer than the business. Hospitality venues are deeply personal, reflecting unique tastes and cultures, designed to serve their own tribe of loyal customers. If a place isn’t for you, that’s fine—there are over 150,000 venues in the UK. Move on and find one that suits your preferences, rather than publicly punishing a business that didn’t meet your subjective standards. Mistakes happen, and most businesses are trying their best. Before criticising, ask yourself: did you give them a chance to fix it? Hospitality is about creating belonging, not perfection. Celebrate what resonates—ignore the rest.

When is it Your Responsibility to Support the Mental Health of Your Employees?

When is it Your Responsibility to Support the Mental Health of Your Employees?

In the hospitality industry, mental health support has become a critical topic. For Gen X and Boomers, mental health wasn’t always on the agenda—extreme hours and no-break shifts were the norm, and we told ourselves those who stayed were simply "tougher." Today, though, the younger generation is showing us a different perspective, with a strong demand for healthier workplaces and work-life balance. It raises the question: have they simply learned what’s right in ways we missed?

In my career, I’ve seen first-hand how a workplace’s environment affects well-being. Today, I’m fortunate to offer support to my team through Strive Employee Wellbeing Service, providing employees the resources and mentoring to build resilience and self-awareness. Challenging behavior at work can often be a signal for help, and as employers, we’re in a unique position to respond, supporting the individual and fostering a positive, thriving hospitality community.