A 2 min read.

Running a successful restaurant is no small feat. From managing staff and ensuring guest satisfaction to juggling finances and maintaining high standards, the challenges are immense. But what if there was a way to enhance your mental resilience, improve your decision-making, and boost your overall well-being? Enter Positive Intelligence (PQ).

What is Positive Intelligence?

Positive Intelligence, developed by Shirzad Chamine, is the measure of the strength of your positive mental muscles versus the negative. In simpler terms, it’s about cultivating a mindset that helps you thrive rather than just survive. This concept revolves around identifying and weakening your “Saboteurs” — the negative voices in your head that generate stress, self-doubt, and unhappiness — and strengthening your “Sage” — the positive part of your brain that generates calm, clarity, and creativity.

To learn more about how to measure and strengthen your PQ, let’s connect at ChristinMarvin.com

Why Does Positive Intelligence Matter for Restaurant Operators?

1. Enhanced Decision-Making: As a restaurant operator, you make countless decisions daily. Positive Intelligence helps you approach these decisions with a clear, calm, and focused mind, reducing impulsivity and improving outcomes.

2. Stress Reduction: The hospitality industry is notorious for its high-stress environment. Strengthening your PQ can help you manage stress more effectively, leading to better health and job satisfaction.

3. Improved Leadership: Positive Intelligence enhances emotional intelligence, making you a more empathetic and effective leader. This can lead to improved staff morale, retention, and productivity.

4. Resilience and Adaptability: The ability to bounce back from setbacks is crucial in the ever-changing restaurant industry. A high PQ fosters resilience and adaptability, enabling you to navigate challenges more gracefully.

How to Build Positive Intelligence

Building your PQ involves three core practices:

1. Intercepting Saboteurs: The first step is to identify and intercept your Saboteurs. These are the negative thought patterns that sabotage your performance and happiness. Common Saboteurs include the Judge (which criticizes yourself and others), the Stickler (which insists on perfection), and the Pleaser (which seeks to gain acceptance by pleasing others). By becoming aware of these Saboteurs, you can start to diminish their power over you.

2. Strengthening the Sage: The Sage represents the positive, wise, and resourceful part of your brain. Cultivating Sage powers involves shifting your mindset to focus on empathy, curiosity, creativity, and calm. Techniques such as mindfulness, visualization, and positive affirmations can help strengthen your Sage.

3. Building PQ Muscles: Like any muscle, your PQ muscles grow stronger with consistent exercise. Simple practices like taking deep breaths, practicing gratitude, and engaging in regular meditation can significantly boost your Positive Intelligence.

Practical Tips for Restaurant Operators

- Mindful Mornings: Start your day with a few minutes of mindfulness or meditation to set a positive tone.

- Gratitude Practice: Regularly acknowledge and appreciate the positive aspects of your work and team through journaling.

- Set a Daily Intention: Choose one positive area of focus daily to ensure you are leading with positivity when you begin each day.

The Impact of Positive Intelligence

Implementing Positive Intelligence practices can transform not only your mindset but also your restaurant’s culture. A positive, resilient leader fosters a positive, resilient team. This leads to improved guest experiences, higher staff retention, and ultimately, greater success for your restaurant.

In the demanding world of restaurant operations, developing Positive Intelligence can be a game-changer. By intercepting Saboteurs, strengthening your Sage, and building your PQ muscles, you can enhance your leadership, reduce stress, and create a thriving work environment. Embrace Positive Intelligence today and unlock the full potential of your restaurant and yourself.

To learn how to master the 3 core practices involved in building your Positive Intelligence, visit ChristinMarvin.com

P.S. 

For more leadership development, here are some additional resources for you:

1. Tune into the No Hesitations Podcast Episode 32 : How to Lead with Clarity : 5 Strategies for Effective Restaurant Management

2. To grow your leadership in just 5 minutes a day, join my 12 Day Leadership Challenge.

3. Contact me for a strategy session about overcoming your biggest challenge at christinlmarvin@gmail.com and start transforming your mindset, your restaurant, and your life today!

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Chamine, Shirzad. Positive Intelligence: Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential AND HOW YOU CAN ACHIEVE YOURS. Austin, TX: Greenleaf Book Group Press, 2016