Episode 112 - Building Effective Multi-Site Leadership with Lee Sheldon

In The Ceres Podcast Episode 112, host Stelios Theocharous welcomes Lee Sheldon, co-founder of Mastering Multi-Units (MMU), a consultancy that empowers multi-site managers across various industries. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in hospitality or retail—whether you're managing a chain of fish and chip shops, pubs, or restaurants.

Lee's extensive background, from global learning and development roles at SSP Group to operational management with Blockbuster, brings invaluable insights into the art and science of managing multiple units. Whether you're a single-site operator looking to scale up or an experienced multi-site manager striving for excellence, Lee offers actionable advice on leadership, team development, and maintaining operational consistency.

One of the standout topics in this episode is the challenge of transitioning from managing a single location to overseeing multiple units. Lee emphasises that while many of the performance metrics (like profit and labour management) remain the same, multi-site management demands a broader skill set. Successful multi-site managers must juggle diverse responsibilities, from finance and marketing to technology and remote management. Lee's experience shows that having clarity and a structured approach to these responsibilities is key.

A particularly intriguing moment occurs when Lee talks about the "Rule of Seven." This concept, which Lee learned from Professor Chris Muller, suggests that great managers should focus on developing their immediate successors and several layers beneath them. In practical terms, this means ensuring that every role in the team has a backup, which helps businesses run smoothly, even when someone is away or promoted.

Lee also challenges the conventional wisdom of treating all employees the same. As he puts it, "Nothing so unequal as the equal treatment of unequal." He encourages managers to recognise their team members' unique needs and career goals, acknowledging that while some employees may want to grow into leadership roles, others may prefer to remain in their current positions but still deserve growth opportunities. Managers can increase employee satisfaction and retention by focusing on individual development, which is critical in today's competitive job market.

• "We need to be developing people to be better managers, not just to fill the next position."

• "You can't change someone's outlook in one or two days, but you can inspire them."

• "The key to operational excellence is not just having systems but having clarity about what success looks like."