Honor Your Craft

I love to see when people take their craft seriously. Those kinds of people never stop improving. The ones who are relentless about doing things with excellence. The type of individuals who study to get a 100% on every test, every time. To those people, a 99% is the same as failure. 

Only a certain type of person can understand or relate to what I’m referring to, and organizations who value unapologetic excellence are filled with those people. They attract THOSE kinds of team members. Why? Because people who truly value excellence ONLY want to work in organizations that value excellence.

Yes, they might tolerate working somewhere else, but deep down, they feel like they were uniquely made to be a part of something special.

I recently had the privilege of working with the amazing team at The Inn at Little Washington…and they get it.

Under the leadership of Chef/Proprietor, Patrick O’Connell, the Inn is the first establishment ever to receive Forbes 5 Stars and AAA 5 Diamonds for both the restaurant and hotel and remains the longest-tenured restaurant in the world to receive both awards. 🍷The restaurant also holds a three-star Michelin rating, which is the highest accolade a restaurant can receive globally. It represents the pinnacle of culinary artistry worldwide.

Even as a visitor, you get the impression that each team member knows exactly what needs to be done. Everyone is eager to execute their duties with steadfast precision. Yet, there is no pretentiousness anywhere. The team is warm and hospitable at every turn. From the valet attendant, to the front desk agent, to the server, to the cook, to the horticulturist, to the shepherd on the farm! Warmth, mixed with precision, mixed with honor, mixed with love. 

Yes, love. 

When you truly love your craft, your absolute best is the minimum standard. And it pains your soul to work alongside others who mistreat and dishonor it.

You would rather work by yourself. You would rather be short-staffed.

So, I lift up places like The Inn at Little Washington.

We need more establishments that attract, hire, train, develop, mentor, retain and celebrate people who love what they do. Call them out. Shine a light on them, because excellence deserves to be celebrated.

Here’s the takeaway: Three words. Honor Your Craft.

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