When Perfect Resumes Crash and Burn in the Kitchen; The Resume Said Rockstar. Reality Said Train Wreck

The Resume Trap: When Experience Fools You

We’ve all been there, sifting through resumes, hoping to spot that unicorn candidate with the golden combination: years of experience, the perfect background, and ideas that sound amazing in an interview. And yeah, we thought we struck gold recently at Basil’s. This new hire had the resume of a seasoned pro. During the interview? Nailed it! Said all the right things, dropped some impressive suggestions for improving kitchen flow, we were sold.

But two weeks in?

Didn’t know cook times.

Couldn’t keep up with the pace.

And the KDS? Might as well have been written in a foreign language.

It’s a brutal reminder that experience doesn’t equal talent. What looks good on paper can completely fall apart when the heat gets turned up—literally.

Smart Isn’t Always the Right Fit

This brings us to a key idea from First, Break All the Rules: “Great managers don’t hire based on experience”, they hire based on talent. That’s the natural ability to thrive in a role, not just survive. And sometimes, the most capable people on paper can completely miss the mark in real world performance.

Intelligence and charm in an interview don’t mean someone has the hustle, adaptability, or instinct to work a Friday night rush in a slammed kitchen. Especially not ours.

Why Managers Keep Chasing Experience

It’s easy to fall into the trap of experience-based hiring. It feels safe. Like checking a box:

“10 years on the line? Great!”

“Managed a team of 20? Perfect!”

But what that doesn’t tell you is how they handle pressure, how they communicate under stress, or whether they even care enough to grow.

The Real Cost of the Wrong Hire

A bad hire doesn’t just waste time, it kills momentum. It drains your team. Your best employees have to pick up the slack. Morale dips. Trust fades. And your customers? They feel it too.

So What Do You Hire For?

First, Break All the Rules lays it out:

• Hire for talent, not experience. You can teach cook times. You can’t teach work ethic.

• Trust your gut on behaviors, not buzzwords.

• Look for people who fit the role’s demands naturally.

Breaking Free from the Resume Mirage

At Basil’s, we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that a perfect resume doesn’t mean a perfect employee. The right hire is someone who has the natural wiring to succeed in the role—not just someone who talks a good game.

And the truth is, the best people for the job aren’t always the most polished on paper. Sometimes they’re just the ones who show up, ask the right questions, and figure it out fast because they care.

The Story of Nobody: A Rant from a Fed-Up Business Owner

You know what’s exhausting? Giving a damn.

It’s not that people don’t understand what needs to be done, it’s that they genuinely don’t care. That’s the part that breaks you.

Today, I shared a quote from Tim Walton, the classic story of Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. I posted it with hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, my team would read it and get it. That they’d finally realize that if everybody did something, then everything would always get done.

But guess what? That didn’t happen.

Because today, I had to replace the damn ketchup bag-in-the-box because Nobody thought it was their job. At the end of the night, while they clocked out without a second thought, I was re-mopping the kitchen, putting away food left out to rot, and sweeping garbage from under the sink.

I’m not talking about once in a while. I’m talking daily battles with apathy.

And honestly? I’m tired.

I’m tired of covering shifts.

Tired of doing other people’s jobs while still doing my own.

Tired of explaining the same basic things over and over.

Tired of begging people to give a damn about the place that gives them a paycheck.

I used to care, deeply about what others needed, how I could help, how to be the kind of boss people respected. But lately? That care is running on fumes.

I don’t know if I want to fire everyone and start fresh or just walk away and do something else entirely. Because no matter what, I’ll be fine. Better than fine.

Why?

Because I’m a worker. A leader. A fighter. I recognize what needs to be done and I do it, without waiting to be asked, without clock-watching, without making excuses. I’m not afraid to fail, to learn, to hustle. You won’t ever catch me watching my boss clean up my mess.

Too many people today want the title, the paycheck, the perks, but they don’t want to show up. They talk a big game, but when it’s time to do something, they vanish like a Snapchat.

And that’s the root of it, isn’t it?

The gap between talk and action. The canyon between “that’s not my job” and “how can I help?” That canyon is killing businesses, killing culture, and burning out people like me who still believe in showing up and doing the damn work. My family is here day in and day out doing it all and putting in the hours waiting to see who will step up and help or who will sit down and quit!

But here’s the thing, I’m not quitting. I’m just getting louder.

So if you’re reading this and it stings a little? Good. Maybe it should.

Do better.

I’m curious—how have you handled moments when you felt like nobody cared? Share your thoughts in the comments, or reach out if you’ve got advice for a fellow business owner navigating these challenges.

Let Downs: Commercials vs. Real Life

We’ve all seen them, countless commercials that suck us into a product or service with perfect visuals and happy actors.

Companies spend thousands, if not millions, crafting these ads, using professional lighting, scripted interactions, and carefully chosen actors to sell us a dream. But what happens when you actually buy in? Too often, real life doesn’t match the commercial. Let’s break down a few examples.

Chipotle: Fresh, Friendly, and… Fake?

Watch the commercial here.

Chipotle markets itself as a place where food is prepared fresh daily by smiling, friendly staff. The ad makes you crave guacamole and a burrito bowl on the spot.

But step into a real Chipotle, and reality hits. The employees? Not so cheerful. The freshness? Questionable. The experience? Usually rushed, sometimes rude, and rarely as inviting as the commercial made it seem.

Leaf Filter: Fix Everything… or Nothing?

Watch their pitch here.

This one I have personal experience with. The actors in this ad should win awards for how well they sell it. They promise a solution for clogged gutters, debris, and even damaged downspouts.

So, I called. And what did I get? A third-party installer who barely seemed to care about the job. These guys have their own businesses and side gigs, so they rush through the work and cut corners. And when issues pop up? Good luck getting someone to come back and fix them. Leaf Filter the product might work, but the service is nothing like what the commercial promises.

Window World: Stand on Your Windows? Cool. But Install Them Right First.

Check out the ad here.

The commercial is all about professionalism, clean-cut installers in branded shirts, carefully installing high-quality windows. It looks like a smooth, easy process.

Now, in real life? The salesperson shows up with a long-winded pitch about how strong their windows are (yes, we get it, you can stand on them). But I don’t care about that. I care about a fair price, a professional install, and a crew that actually knows what they’re doing. Instead, you often get a team that looks like they just rolled out of bed, and when they mess up the install, it takes weeks to get a new crew out to fix it.

Do These Actors Ever Buy What They Sell?

I sometimes wonder; do the actors in these commercials ever try the products they promote? Do they ever go out to eat at the places they hype up? If they did, would they still smile the way they do on screen?

There should be stricter rules for advertising, making companies deliver on what they promise. Or maybe, more customers should start playing these commercials back for the companies, asking, “Where’s this experience? Because this isn’t what I got.”

Until then, the best we can do is call out the nonsense when we see it.

Expectation and Comparison: My Downfall

It took me a long time to get where I am in life. Along the way, I’ve worked in construction, painting, window installation, law enforcement, and several different positions in restaurants and bars. I’ve worn many hats, but no matter the job, I approached my work the same way, PREPARED, PROACTIVE, and ACCOUNTABLE.

How I Work….

I’ve always believed in showing up early, at least 30 minutes before my shift. Not just physically, but mentally. I walked in knowing what needed to be done, rarely needing a boss or supervisor to tell me.

As a police officer, my first task was reading reports from the previous shifts, understanding what happened overnight, and knowing where my attention was needed. By the time I was out on patrol, I had a plan.

In the restaurant world, it was no different. I’d check stock, ensure everything was ready for service, and take inventory of beer and liquor before the shift even started. That way, I knew exactly what I had, what I was short on, and how to adapt.

No one had to push me to do these things. I took initiative because I believed that’s how a job should be done. And one thing you would never catch me doing, was standing away playing on my phone. If you wanted to keep your job, you did your job.

The Letdown…..

And this is where my frustration begins, expectation and comparison.

I expect others to work the way I do. To show up early. To take charge of their responsibilities. To know the job they applied for. To be aware of the products they’re selling. To function as a team.

And time and time again, I am disappointed.

Very few people seem willing to take ownership of their work. They clock in at the last possible minute, do the bare minimum, and wait to be told what to do. I struggle with this because it goes against everything I believe in. I don’t understand how someone can walk into a job unprepared, unconcerned, and unwilling to improve.

I feel handcuffed in my own business because I don’t know how to fix these issues. I’ve read the books, listened to the experts. I know I’m a strong leader and a damn good business owner. But when it comes to management? That’s where I fail, because too many employees don’t listen or respect the standards I set.

The Bigger Problem…

Normally, when someone underperforms, you replace them. But what happens when no one else is applying?

That’s my reality. If I got rid of every negative, unmotivated, or underperforming employee, I wouldn’t have enough staff to run the business. I’m stuck choosing between keeping subpar workers or being too short-staffed to function.

The Questions I Can’t Answer…

So how do you build a business with employees who actually care? How do you find people who want to show up and put in the work? More importantly, how do I stop comparing myself to others and expecting them to operate at my level?

I don’t have the answers. Maybe I never will. But unless I make some drastic changes, either in my expectations or in my life, I’ll stay caught in this cycle of frustration, disappointment, and the constant feeling of being stuck.

Teaching Leadership in an Age of Entitlement

Can the entitled be taught leadership?

Leadership is more than just a title, it’s a mindset of responsibility, service, and resilience. But what happens when you’re trying to teach leadership in an environment where entitlement runs rampant? How do you inspire accountability and a strong work ethic when people believe they should be given leadership rather than earn it?

The key is to shift the culture from expecting rewards to embracing responsibility. Here’s how you can do it:

Set Clear Expectations

Leadership isn’t about privilege; it’s about responsibility. From the start, make it clear that leadership is earned through effort, integrity, and commitment. Outline the qualities you expect in a leader: hard work, problem-solving, and the ability to handle challenges. When people understand that leadership is a responsibility, not a right, entitlement starts to fade.

Lead by Example

The most effective way to teach leadership is to model it yourself. Show up early, put in the work, and demonstrate accountability. When people see you leading with integrity and grit, it becomes harder for entitlement to thrive. Leadership is caught more than it is taught.

Let Consequences Teach the Lesson

People who feel entitled often expect someone else to fix their mistakes. Don’t do it for them. Allow them to experience the natural consequences of their choices, both good and bad. If they fail to meet expectations, let them own the results. Failure is one of the best teachers, and real world lessons will stick far better than lectures.

Foster Accountability

Entitlement thrives in environments where there are no consequences. Set up systems where people are held accountable for their actions and commitments. Encourage peer accountability, where they support and challenge each other to step up. Leadership isn’t about making excuses it’s about taking ownership. One more time for the people in the back.

Leadership isn’t about making excuses it’s about taking ownership.

Shift the Mindset to Growth

Entitlement says, “I deserve.” Leadership says, “I will earn.” Encourage a growth mindset where effort, resilience, and continuous learning are valued over status or seniority. Teach that setbacks are stepping stones and that true leadership is about evolving, not expecting special treatment.

(Every job I’ve ever had, leadership was based on “I deserve” and demonstrated complete failure!”

Promote Servant Leadership

One of the best ways to break entitlement is to emphasize servant leadership, the idea that great leaders serve their teams, not the other way around. Encourage mentorship, community involvement, and acts of service. When people see leadership as a way to help others rather than gain power, entitlement loses its grip.

Reward Effort, Not Entitlement

Be intentional about recognizing and rewarding work ethic, determination, and initiative, not just participation. If people see that leadership opportunities go to those who genuinely contribute, they’ll be more likely to step up rather than expect handouts.

Entitlement is a tough challenge, but it can be overcome with the right approach. By setting clear expectations, modeling leadership, and reinforcing accountability, you can transform entitlement into initiative, effort, and responsibility.

True leadership isn’t about demanding a seat at the table, it’s about proving you belong there. And the best way to teach that lesson? Live it.

Things I’ll Never Understand

Watching the news this week, I saw extensive coverage of the California wildfires. Among the stories were several famous actors and musicians sharing their losses and asking for help. It made me wonder: unless there’s been major mismanagement of their funds, how does someone with their resources not have the means to rebuild?

Where’s the coverage for the countless regular, blue-collar people who’ve also lost everything?

I own a business, and back in 2017, we expanded with a $150,000 remodel. It wasn’t easy, but we made it work without going to other businesses or individuals to ask for donations. That’s why I struggle to understand when businesses seek monetary help for repairs, remodels, or upgrades.

The same goes for travel sports. My son played travel baseball for eight years. We traveled all over the East Coast, South, and Midwest, spending thousands of dollars on equipment, clothing, and hotels. It was a worthwhile investment that provided him with exposure and opportunities, but it wasn’t cheap. We made sacrifices to afford it, and while it wasn’t always easy, we never asked others for help.

I don’t understand the countless families who rely on donations or fundraisers to cover the costs of travel sports. If you can’t afford it, maybe it’s not the right fit. Unless there’s a significant issue like a health problem or an emergency, I struggle to see why asking for personal financial help is necessary.

For example, I need back surgery. Without insurance, the $90,000 price tag is completely out of reach for me. But instead of creating a GoFundMe or seeking donations, I’ve chosen to live with the pain and do the best I can. That’s just how I was raised, to find a way forward without burdening others, especially when I don’t know their struggles or financial situations.

Maybe it’s just me, hence the title, “Things I’ll Never Understand”, but I can’t imagine asking others for monetary help unless it’s an absolute necessity.

Work hard, buy what you need, and enjoy the occasional splurge when you can. Ask for help only when it’s truly needed. Otherwise, live within your means and make it work.

This post reflects my personal opinions and experiences. I understand that everyone’s circumstances are different, and I don’t intend to judge or criticize those who choose to seek help in ways that work for them. My perspective is shaped by my values and upbringing, and I respect that others may approach these situations differently.

The Labor Shortage After Covid: Where Have All the Workers Gone

What Happened to the Labor Force After the Covid-19 Pandemic?

There are definitely fewer people working now than before the Covid-19 pandemic. Whether you’re traveling locally or nationally, just take a drive and pay attention to the businesses around you. You’ll notice “Help Wanted” and “We’re Hiring” signs everywhere. But where are all the workers? Hardly anyone is applying, and the few who do are often not up to the task.

It’s a tough reality for business owners. Sure, your business is short-staffed and in desperate need of employees, but at what cost? Too often, applicants come in with polished resumes and the right words—promising to do whatever it takes to learn and grow. But once hired? The situation often falls apart. Many workers just stand around, doing nothing despite being trained, shown what’s expected, and given the tools they need. Yet they refuse to follow through.

So where are all the good employees hiding? When will someone actually show up, ready to do the job? As a business owner, I have to admit, I’m starting to think it may never happen again. I realize I sound a little pessimistic here, but in my experience since the end of pandemic restrictions, very few employees have stepped up to the plate.

The Struggles of Small Business Owners

As a small business owner, where do we go from here? There’s plenty of work to be done, but only a few of us are actually doing it. How are we supposed to handle everything when there aren’t enough reliable workers? The most common advice I hear is to “hire more people.” But how do you hire when no one is even applying for jobs?

It’s a double-edged sword. We all started our businesses because we were passionate about them. It’s what we love doing. But as the business grows, the need for help increases. It becomes essential to rely on others to pick up the slack. And this is often where businesses fail: relying on others means putting the future of your dream into someone else’s hands. All your hard work, time, energy, and money are invested, while a few employees stand by, not pulling their weight, leaving you to push harder than ever to keep the business afloat.

The labor shortage post-Covid has created a real crisis for small businesses. As we struggle to find the right workers and manage the workload, it’s clear that simply hiring more people isn’t a solution if the work ethic and dedication aren’t there. For many of us, it’s become a matter of survival, and the road ahead seems uncertain. As much as we want to keep our businesses thriving, it’s getting harder to do so without a reliable team to back us up.

Breaking Point: Redefining Reliability; Lessons from the Bottom of the Seniority Barrel

I’m just one in a giant sea of others who bust their asses and work because:

A. We like to

B. We need to

But when is enough, enough? Like many of you out there, I’ve put in my time. I’ve worked from the age of sixteen to current age of 51.

I’ve had them all, from movie cinema ticket taker to roofer and sewer plant operator. I woke up angry, sick and hung over but still went to work. I didn’t want to, but I had to. Other than my career as a police officer, I’ve always been drawn to and attracted to the food and beverage industry.

As an officer, I went from rookie with terrible days off and no summer vacations to good days off and several weeks vacation whenever I wanted them. It may have sucked in the beginning, but you put in your time and you respect the seniority.

Same goes for the restaurant world. I’ve done every job imaginable in a restaurant and bar. I still love it and I still want to do it, but when I decided to open this business, I never believed I would be back down at the bottom of the seniority barrel.

I thought ownership would consist of chatting with customers, having a drink with some friends. Taking my wife out for a weekend dinner or having nights off to relax.

This is miles away from all actuality. Instead, I have to cover shifts, and do multiple people’s jobs on multiple different nights.

Reliability has become a thing of the past. Getting everyone to show up to work, and even more difficult, get the ones who show up to do all the necessary work is not always an easy task.

They say,

“to achieve true reliability, you must have true reliability professionals leading your efforts.”

Maybe I am at fault for the downfall or the death of reliability. Sure, I possess real-world experiences and I have certificates and a professional reputation of success, but what is it that I truly need to get the best out of the people I hire?

This question may never be answered, all I do know is, you don’t want to do it, I’ll do it! You don’t want to come in, I’ll be there. You don’t want to learn, I already know it.

But the truth is, this isn’t sustainable. Just like the police force where you earn your seniority, in the restaurant world, there has to be a moment when you can lean on your team, just as they lean on you. Maybe I expected ownership to be easier or more relaxed, but I also expected the people I hired to share my work ethic. The reality, though, is different.

I’ve come to realize that true reliability starts with accountability (TOPIC OF LAST BLOG) both from me and those surrounding me. It’s about teaching, guiding, and leading by example, but also knowing when to step back and let others rise to the occasion. After all, I can’t always be the one picking up the slack. It’s a lesson I’m still learning, but I believe it’s a crucial one for anyone in this industry or any industry for that matter.

Reliability isn’t just about showing up; it’s about being present, engaged and accountable. It’s about building a team that not only respects the work, but respects each other and the efforts that got us here.

Ditch the Excuses & Grab Some Accountability

So many people are too easily distracted and would rather shy away from challenges. It’s easy to find reasons, or rather excuses for why things don’t go the way you want. Whether you’re blaming external circumstances, other people, or bad luck, excuses are often your way of avoiding responsibility.

True growth only happens when you take ownership of your actions. Accountability is the key to success, and it begins when you drop the excuses!

Good or bad, accountability is owning the results of your actions.

It’s about accepting that you control your choices, behaviors, and responses to life’s challenges. When you’re accountable, you don’t deflect blame onto others. You stand by your decisions and are willing to face the consequences, whether they lead to success or failure.

Being accountable isn’t just about saying you’ll do something, but actually following through with consistent action.

Excuses, whether you are verbally announcing them or keeping them to yourself, they are doing nothing but killing your personal growth and opportunity in life. You use excuses to protect you from feeling uncomfortable. You may say you want the answered, however criticism is your kryptonite. Excuses are walls you build around yourself to prevent you from reaching your full capacity.

Do any of these sound familiar to you?

“I didn’t have time”

“it’s not my fault”

“they, he or she was supposed to do it”

“that’s not my job”

They may validate your moment, but ultimately they are all road blocks to your progress.

Awareness of the first step towards change. Stop focusing on why it went wrong, or why it never got done, and ask yourself what could you have done differently to solve the problem.

Take your job for example, and you hear a boss or manager tell someone that a certain task needs to be done. After a week the task still hasn’t been addressed. Are you going to make sure it gets done or are you going to fall into line with the others and make an excuse as to why you won’t step up and handle it?

Acknowledge your role in a situation and own your mistakes. Failure isn’t weakness. Failure shows you are willing at least try and others will take notice of your efforts. Would you rather be known as the person who is dependable, helpful and accountable, or the one who has all the excuses and never helps out?

Being accountable will increase your productivity and help improve your relationships whether it’s at home, on the field or at work.

Excuses might feel comforting in the moment, but they rob you of opportunity to grow, learn and succeed.

Accountability, on the other hand empowers you to take control of your life and steer toward your goals. A path to growth begins with you owning your actions and letting go of the excuses.

Challenge yourself and ditch the excuses, you will be surprised of the potential you possess and may even notice a better atmosphere surrounding you.

Imagine IF

Imagine if you were driven! Imagine if you had a desire to be the best at what you are doing! It doesn’t matter if you are young or old, it doesn’t matter if you are living day to day trying to figure it out or if you are studying to become something you imagined you’d be good at. What matters is, no matter what your current role in life is, you should tackle that role as if your life depends on it!

Imagine if, you were tasked to do a job, a well paying job, where you were making very good money, but you didn’t see yourself doing this particular job for a living. Do you think you will be successful at what you actually want to do, if you can’t even make a decent effort at the job you currently have to help you get by for the moment?

Imagine if, you were so naive you took everything given to you for granted and burnt every bridge of opportunity to the ground! Do you wake up thinking you deserve it all? I hate to break it to you, you don’t deserve anything, you need to earn your spot in life! Whether it is seeking a job in your field of study, or if it is a job you are fortunate enough to have at the time being. You need to be the best that you can be, otherwise, you will eventually get the job you want, and fail at that also! You’ll fail because your work ethic is terrible and you feel entitled to have it all up front when you want it!

Imagine if, you had a boss that just let you continuously get away with subpar work. Imagine if, you trained your body, mind and soul to fail more than you succeed, then one day you find a job, a dream job but you don’t have the work ethic or mindset to actually be great, let alone good at the one job you really wanted!

Life is about training and making due with what you have! If you can’t strap in and make the best of something to help yourself or others, do you honestly think you’ll ever be good at what it is your really want to do?
Take a seat and just imagine if you actually cared about your paycheck, your job, your life, your friends, your co-workers, your schooling, your family, yourself! Imagine IF!!!!