Elizabeth Meltz on Effective Operations, Leadership, & Culture in the Restaurant Industry

#53. This week, we're joined by a distinguished entrepreneur, activist, public speaker, mediator, chef, and a key figure in the hospitality industry, Elizabeth Meltz. Elizabeth shines not only through her involvement on the boards of various organizations championing the hospitality sector and women's empowerment but also as the founder of EM PATH, a company dedicated to refining leadership, culture, and management in hospitality and beyond.

With over a decade of experience with the Batali and Bastianich group, along with pivotal roles at B&B Hospitality, Eataly, and Dig In, she has deeply influenced sustainability, environmental health, and food safety within the hospitality realm.

This episode takes you through a thoughtful conversation about what defines exceptional leadership, the challenges of leadership in the restaurant sector, and her ambitions for advancing leadership education within hospitality. We discuss her impactful journey, from delivering a TED talk to establishing Women in Hospitality United during a period of significant turmoil, and her efforts in creating organizations that broadly support the hospitality industry.

From our first in-person meeting in New York, where we discovered the depths of her background, to an exchange of impactful books (which we'll detail in the notes), this discussion is packed with educational insights, inspiring stories, and enjoyable moments.

Geared towards professionals in the field and enthusiasts passionate about leadership, communication, and hospitality, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the industry through the eyes of a visionary.

Where to find Elizabeth Meltz: 

• LinkedIn

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Twitter

Books Mentioned in This Episode: 

1. High Output Management By Andrew Grove
2. One Minute Manager By Ken Blanchard
3. The Art of Gathering By Priya Parker
4. Thanks for the Feedback By Douglas Stone
5. You're Not Listening By Kate Murphy
6. Why Won't You Apologize By Harriet Lerner
7. Radical Candor By Kim Scott
8. Endurance By Alfred Lansing
9. Five Days at Memorial By Sheri Fink
10. Elon Musk By Walter Isaacson
11. Ben Franklin By Walter Isaacson

In this episode, we cover:

(04:10) Elizabeth's background in the restaurant industry
(07:44) Elizabeth's role in creating food safety procedures
(11:24) Oyster Sunday & Drive Change
(13:48) Elizabeth's Superpower & EM PATH
(22:42) Mediation in all its forms
(30:29) DISC Assessments
(35:45) Circle keeping
(41:59) Making team success your KPI
(52:25) OKRs
(59:37) Women In Hospitality United
(1:04:39) Elizabeth's experience with TED Talks