The year of gratitude

The second in my list of gratitude for 2020 is Mr Rocco Giordano.

For those who don't know Rocco, he is one of the most incredible, versatile and fun restaurateur the world has seen.

Rocco, emigrated to New York at a very young age in the late 70's and returned to his beloved hometown (same as mine) Scilla to set up what it was at the time one of the first restaurants, La Grotta Azzurra.

Fast he became very popular and the quality of service, friendliness and great seafood, put his restaurant on the map of Calabria and many personalities came from all over to taste his delicacies and his hospitality.

Rocco employed me at his restaurant once (age 16) and later at his first floating restaurant ''Il Galeone dei Pirati'' (age 20). He was another of those leaders who taught me many lessons and became today one of the most successful restaurateurs in Calabria (Italy), operating several restaurants and hotels.

Some of the most important lessons was how to be an entrepreneur. I will never forget his way of doing business, negotiating, selling. Second, he taught me how to be humble and accept responsibility, he slapped me on my face for making jokes during work. Initially I thought it was unfair and left the restaurant crying, later one of the regular guests took me by hand to apologize to him and he told me why I should have done so. Last he taught me how to trust. He left me his bar few hours a day to run it on my own with no supervision. Can you imagine giving a business in the hands of a 16 years old today?

This is my story about Rocco Giordano and how he contributed to my life. I hope many of you (readers) will have the chance, like I did , to meet incredible people like him and help you shape who you are today.

#gratitude #people #celebration #lessonsinleadership