Finding the right cadence

The accomplished business leader recognizes that culture is a key driving force behind organizational success. They know that culture is not driven or dictated from the top but by every employee, every positive action throughout the business day. Culture bubbles up from the daily execution of successful decisions made throughout the operation. No motivational quote or corporate mantra posted on the bulletin board will enable an organization to find its reason for being. It must be found within the team.

Then there is cadence. Cadence is movement. It is speed, the daily tempo of the business. Think about the motion, the speed of a high school football game. Now compare that to an NFL game. Very different. Each one provides their own cadence or speed. OK, you say…but so what? What does cadence have to do with cash flow? What does it have to do with the success of your operation?

New hires get dropped into a game already in progress. Immediately they are out of synch with the day and their new team. Although they do not yet understand the speed and the cadence of this new environment, they understand that it has a distinct feel. Becoming comfortable quickly will help the new hire find their footing. This In My Opinion post will offer three thoughts on cadence. Ideas that can help build a cohesive team.

Although you need to hire the person to understand their cadence, it is important to quickly appreciate how they will adapt to the cadence at your property. In the beginning, every new hire might have a program where they work with each department manager for several hours during the first two weeks. Understanding early the level of talent in your midst, the better the decisions for setting this new hire on their best possible path.

While culture is something we feel, cadence must be observed. During those first two weeks in the role, you and each department manager should spend the amount of time necessary to make good decisions moving forward with this person. Who will mentor them? What shifts can offer them the best chance to acquire the necessary skills and confidence? Observation, coaching, and connection are each critical in helping this person feel like they made the right career decision.

Accelerate your process. Let’s be honest, with people retiring at an alarming rate, the talent bus often drives right past your door. Hiring and retaining good people is today a purposeful act. With every new hire, it is important, I believe, to build an accelerated plan of try and trial. The days of having a team member shadow a rookie for weeks are over. Think about a new hire program that offers your new people the full view, immersing them quickly into the day-to-day. The faster they can become a contributing asset, the better the property will be in the long term.

Cadence is that value that never appears in a business book index or a meeting agenda. Nevertheless, it is a valuable part of your operation. Every new team member experiences it as soon as they hit the clubhouse. It is the flow, the speed of your business. Moving to game speed is something that should not be left to employees to figure out. Talk to your managers. Appreciate that your property moves at a unique speed, a distinctive cadence. When you can get the team to play as a great orchestra, all will realize what cadence means to the day and the member experience. Service will improve. You will see the joy of accomplishment all around.

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Jack Dillon writes the In My Opinion posts. In addition to Jack’s day job at The Happiest Place on Turf, Jack helps organizations and their people. To engage Jack or book him to speak at your next meeting, go to www.youdontknowjackd.com. You can also call Jack at 407-973-6136. It could be your best investment of 2025. Jack lives in Orlando.