[Interview] Jay Hartwig Has a Message for His Younger Trainer Self and New Trainers Everywhere

Member Spotlight on Success: Jay Hartwig

We couldn't wait to talk with Jay about that feeling of having a trainee "get it," and what advice he would give to his younger training self. Jay recently completed CHART's Hospitality Training Competencies Certificate Program. Well done!

Interview: Jay Hartwig, Director of People and Retention, Fox Restaurant Concepts

What is your favorite training hack?
The wise adage, “Share selflessly and steal shamelessly.” We trainers are all in this together, and the benefits of networking and sharing can’t be overstated.

What is your favorite part about being a hospitality trainer?
Much like working in a restaurant, it’s the immediate gratification for me. When you teach a class, address a group, or train one-on-one and a trainee immediately “gets it,” there’s nothing like that feeling!

When did you first encounter CHART?
I was introduced via my training mentor Heather Card, who let me tag along to Chart 93 in Colorado Springs in 2017, and I was hooked!

What is the one skill you use regularly that you learned through the Hospitality Training Competencies program?
I frequently use the fundamentals I learned in the Coaching & Feedback module. Specifically, tools like the 9-box and Peak Performance Coaching models.

What would you have missed if you had never known CHART?
For one, that there is a whole community of like-minded individuals within our industry. But also, lots of helpful resources and tools like Kahoot!, Quizlet, JotForm, and more.

If you could tell your younger training self anything, what would it be?
Be confident! Know your business, learn your material, and train with conviction! It’s something I learned along the way, but would have benefitted from hearing early in my training career.

What is your favorite piece of CHART swag?
I’m a sucker for badges and merits, so I love the concept of lanyards with all of the CHART pins I’ve collected along the way.