By Erin Childs, CaterLinked Coach
There’s a question I always come back to when I’m talking with leaders: Who is coaching you? And who are you coaching?
These two questions can tell you almost everything about a team’s culture, a company’s momentum, and a leader’s mindset. Whether you’re managing a single location or overseeing a multi-unit brand, the truth is the same — people never outgrow the need for support.
Coaching Isn’t a Perk. It’s a Performance Tool.
One of the biggest myths we need to break is that coaching ends once someone gets the job. The reality is that’s exactly when they need it most. I learned this firsthand. When I was leading a company, having a coach wasn’t just helpful — it was necessary. It gave me space to think clearly, question my assumptions, and stay aligned with my values. It helped me manage pressure, make better decisions, and most importantly, lead with empathy.
New hires need direction. Veteran employees need recognition. Managers need a place to process. Coaching offers all of that and more. It creates a sense of trust, which builds ownership, which drives performance. This isn’t soft stuff — this is how high-performing cultures are built.
What Support Feels Like
Support isn’t just a system. It’s a feeling. It sounds like:
- Someone’s in my corner.
- I’m not alone when things go sideways.
- My success matters to someone.
- I can try without fear.
That kind of emotional safety is what allows people to take initiative, push through challenges, and bring their best. It’s not about fancy leadership programs. It’s about human connection, plain and simple.
Be the Person They Remember
Think back to a time someone believed in you. A time someone gave you honest feedback, encouraged you, or simply listened. Have you written it down? Shared it? Now think about being that person for someone else.
I’ll never forget a moment when I wasn’t getting along with a coworker early in my career. My coach helped me reframe the conflict. They helped me see that while we didn’t have to like each other, we did have to work together. That conversation shifted everything. It taught me that belief in others doesn’t always look like praise — sometimes it looks like helping someone grow through the hard stuff.
What Coaching Looks Like Every Day
Coaching doesn’t require a meeting invite. It looks like:
- A 20-second word of encouragement
- Noticing and naming what someone did right
- Asking “What would make your job easier today?”
- Following up about something personal — their kid’s soccer game, a trip, or a recent challenge
It’s micro-moments. Small signals that say “I see you. I’m with you.”
Coaching for Every Role
Everyone in your restaurant deserves support. Your sandwich maker. Your prep cook. Your driver. Your GM. And yes, you.
When someone feels believed in, they perform better. Sandwiches are made with more care. Deliveries are smoother. Prep work is done with more consistency. Coaching builds trust, and trust improves outcomes.
Your Managers Need It Most
If your managers are tired, reactive, or burned out, don’t start with performance goals. Start with support. Your culture won’t rise above your management layer. Lift them first.
Make coaching part of your leadership rhythm:
- Give real feedback — not just correction, but celebration
- Normalize asking for help
- Show up as the kind of leader you wish you had
Support Is Contagious
When leaders support employees, employees support each other, and customers feel the difference. Culture isn’t built with posters. It’s built with presence.
So here’s my ask to you: Be the person who believes in people. Everyone on your team is carrying something you can’t see. A little support goes a long way. Everyone needs a coach. Everyone deserves someone in their corner.
Let that someone be you.
About the Author
Erin Childs is a strategic advisor, leadership coach, and former President of Boloco, a Boston-based fast casual restaurant group. With over 20 years in the foodservice and hospitality industry, she brings deep expertise in catering operations, people development, and executive leadership. Erin partners with brands across the country to strengthen their teams, refine operations, and build cultures where people thrive. She is a CaterLinked Coach and a trusted voice in leadership circles, known for her authentic style and ability to turn vision into action.
