Brittni Moves On

A significant contribution to my thesis on Wellbeing was made when I received an email from Brittni containing her two-week notice. That was a week ago. This will be her last week with us at Bethany’s Table. So sad. So happy for her.Roll the film back to March 16, 2020. The restaurant was closed by executive decree. Bins of brisket had been corned; we were up to our ears in shepherd’s pie. Paddy’s Day was tomorrow. From that moment until yesterday, continuing I’m sure until next Saturday, Brittni gave us all she had. Everything. As hard as last year was for us, it would have been exponentially harder without Brit. Her job was made even more difficult when I abandoned her and left for Walla Walla. Yet she persisted…Both Janet and I, for different reasons, are terrible managers. Out of necessity, to address this shortcoming, we adopted the business philosophy of “self-managed teams.” This philosophy calls on the business owner to find the leader amongst her staff, recognizing that the will element of leadership rests with the follower. Brittni is a natural leader. The leader’s job is somewhat political. She walks the bridge between her team and ownership. She is a safe place for those she leads to voice their concerns and problems. She holds the trust and confidence of the owners and her opinions are held in high regard when she carries matters she deems worthy across that bridge. We have been so lucky to have her. It is time for Brittni to take care of her own wellbeing.In the years she has been with us, Brittni has been going to school, stutter stepping her way through college. Now she has decided to give it her all. We love her, as do so many of you. She will always be a member of our family and a welcome guest at our table. This next Saturday will be her last day.