Hello!
My name is Ragnhild Irene Solhaug
After a long career in leadership positions within the restaurant and bar industry, I created the workshop How to Survive… as a Leader
I have led restaurants and bars through pressure, responsibility, and constant decision-making — carrying responsibility for people, operations, finances, and performance every single day
Leadership does not become heavy overnight
It happens gradually → by carrying the weight of the business → over time →
The weight → operations, employees, productivity, quality, profitability, service, complaints, finances, workplace well-being, responsibility, problems, conflicts, dissatisfaction, frustrations, decisions, and consequences
“A leader is… Professional on the outside and quietly worn down on the inside…”
My Leadership Experience
I have held leadership positions across hotel bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and bars of various sizes and concepts, including Managing Director, General Manager, Operations Manager, Restaurant Manager, and Bar Manager
These roles carried full responsibility for operations, employees, performance, guest experience, and financial results
I have also worked on the floor as a Cocktail Bartender, Bartender, Server, Barista, and also as a Tour Leader. This gave me firsthand understanding of both leadership responsibility and operational reality
My education includes Film Production, Cultural Project Management, Bartending School, Drama/Acting/Comedy School and Tour Guide School — strengthening my ability to understand people, structure, and performance
This combination has given me a deep, practical understanding of what leadership in hospitality truly demands
What I Have Experienced as a Leader
I have
Taken on far too many restaurants and bars that turned out to be major clean-up operations
Been the creative and positive leader who constantly worked to build up and strengthen the restaurant/bar
Taken on too much responsibility at the same time — which resulted in overwork and burnout
Made decisions that completely missed the mark
Been trusted by management and owners with positions and responsibilities I never thought were possible
Painfully learned that every employee has their own needs, emotions, and agenda
Taken responsibility for all guest-related issues during service, ending up in situations that were hilariously funny — and others that became genuinely dangerous
Gone to work so nervous that my skeleton was shaking on the insidebecause of the responsibility I carried that day
As Managing Director, been completely undermined, taken advantage of, and had zero control over operations
Pushed myself far beyond my limits, far too many times
Faced the brutal reality and made the decision to turn the key for the final time on the charming Italian restaurant I had poured my entire heart and soul into
Why I Created This Workshop
Because leaders in hospitality are expected to carry everything — often without the tools, structure, or support needed to do
They are responsible for people, performance, guest experience, finances, culture, and constant problem-solving — all at the same time
Most leaders are never taught how to carry this weight
They are promoted because they are capable. Not because they are prepared
I created How to Survive… as a Leader to give leaders the clarity, structure, and understanding I wish I had myself
I know how heavy leadership can become over time — and the consequences it can have
And surviving as a leader should not come at the cost of yourself
“This is the workshop I wish existed when I became a leader”
