In this episode of Culinary Mechanic, Simon Zatyrka sits down with Christine Smith, founder of CS Consulting, to explore how self-awareness transforms restaurant operations and team dynamics. From her early days scooping ice cream to becoming a respected industry consultant, Christine shares insights on leadership development, team building, and creating exceptional guest experiences through enhanced internal relationships . What You'll Learn How self-awareness in leadership directly impacts guest experiences and team performance The importance of understanding your leadership style and its effect on team dynamics Why meeting people where they are is crucial for successful team building How different generations can work together effectively in the hospitality industry The connection between internal team relationships and guest satisfaction Key Highlights Christine's journey from a 14-year-old ice cream server to hospitality consultant The role of self-awareness in creating positive team dynamics How leadership style affects team performance and guest experiences The importance of understanding generational differences in the workplace Why well-managed internal relationships lead to better guest experiences Notable Quotes "It doesn't matter what systems you have in place, there's always going to be a root cause." "Don't let your ego get in the way. These young people got something to bring to the table." Mini-Biography Christine Smith is the founder of CS Consulting, bringing decades of hospitality experience to her work. Her journey through various roles in the industry - from ice cream server to fine dining and catering - has shaped her unique philosophy on leadership and team building. She now helps restaurant leaders understand and improve their leadership style to create better team dynamics and guest experiences . Connect with Christine LinkedIn - @csmithphilosophy Check out her website: https://csmithphilosophy.com/ Follow and Connect with Simon • www.culinarymechanic.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ • Simon's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-zatyrka/ • ⁠⁠⁠Simon's Instag⁠⁠ram⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinary.mechanic • ⁠Simon's Tiktok⁠: https://www.tiktok.com/@culinarymechanic • Simon's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@culinarymechanic • Book a Call with Simon⁠: https://calendly.com/culinarymechanic/chat • Simon's email: [email protected]