Join us as we interview our distinguished speaker, Michael Marsico, Midwest Area Director at Maggiano’s Little Italy, as a part of #BeyondBars.

With years of experience at Maggiano's, Michael is a five-star general manager and multi-unit director who delivers accountability leadership through engaging and developing leaders. He's committed to achieving results and providing exceptional guest experiences while maintaining a fun and energizing work environment for his team.

#BeyondBars is an interview series started by USA Trade Tasting that covers challenges faced by the bar industry that go beyond the obvious. Let’s see what Michael has in store for us!

1. How do you manage your time to maintain a healthy work-life balance?

Keeping schedules is key. Organizing and prioritizing what is an absolute need, what can hold off, and what is business critical.

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2. How do you prioritize your responsibilities outside of work?

As a husband and father of two, family is always the top priority when outside of work. Their needs come first whether it is going to a sports practice, a family party, or helping with homework, my family comes first and then I work down the list from there. 

3. What strategies do you use to avoid burnout?

To avoid burnout you have to have outlets that help you take a break from work and focus on things you enjoy. For me, it is cooking all types of cuisines, working out, going to plays/musicals, or something as simple as going for a walk in my neighborhood and listening to the nature around me.

4. How do you handle work-related stress to ensure it doesn't impact your personal life?

You have to set up boundaries. When you’re busy at work the last thing you want is to bring work problems home with you. I think finding a mentor is key to being able to confide in and talk through work challenges. Also finding stress outlets like working out, meditation, and or yoga to help release the stress that you cannot control and help provide clarity/focus on the stresses that you do have control over.

5. What steps do you take to recharge and relax outside of work?

Family time, reading, watching movies, cooking, and enjoying a great meal with family and friends always helps recharge.

6. Have you ever had to make difficult decisions between work and personal obligations? How did you handle it?

I think everyone in the industry has had a moment in life where difficulty in work and personal life has come into play. I think what is important is not making a decision that you will live to regret, be sure that you have an open conversation and understand that you have to live with the decisions you make and if you’re willing to make a decision once more then likely you will reencounter it so be sure to make the right decision the first time around.

7. How do you encourage your team to prioritize work-life balance?

Having open and candid conversations with the team to understand that they will be their best selves when they find balance and personal well-being. Recognizing that commitment to a career is only one aspect of success. Helping them achieve goals with health, finance, social, and career well-being is all critical to success.

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