Salt Revisited: Sprinkling Hospitality On Our Everyday Moments

Hey Beloved,

So here’s the thing..a few weeks ago, we talked about salt—how it enhances and preserves, and how hospitality works in much the same way.

That metaphor has stayed with me…I couldn’t quite shake ( no pun 🧂) the thoughts. I’ve found myself asking:

What does this actually look like to be the salt in the moments we live every day?

Because talking about hospitality as “salt” is one thing, but living it out in meaningful ways is where the real challenge (and opportunity) lies.

It’s about turning that idea into action—whether in your relationships, your work, or your community.

This week, I had to revisit the idea of salt and take it one step further.

And I’d like to start with a simple story...

The Parable of the Table and the Salt

Imagine a bustling dinner party. The table is beautifully set with fresh bread, steaming dishes, and glasses filled to the brim. The aroma of the meal fills the air, and the room hums with conversation. Guests laugh, clink glasses, and share stories. The setting is warm and inviting, but something feels... off.

The host, eager to create a memorable evening, notices the murmurs around the table. People are eating, but their faces are hesitant. A guest leans over to another and whispers, “It’s missing something.”

Finally, someone speaks up: “It needs salt.”

The host, a little embarrassed but quick to respond, brings the saltshaker to the table. With a few sprinkles, everything changes. The flavors come alive, and smiles replace the uncertainty. The conversations grow more animated, the laughter louder. The room feels fuller, warmer, and more connected.

What changed? The meal didn’t completely transform, but the salt brought out its best. It enhanced what was already good and made the ordinary unforgettable.

Here’s the key: Salt didn’t steal the spotlight; it simply made everything better. It worked quietly in the background, elevating the experience without drawing attention to itself.

Hospitality works the same way.

Living Out Hospitality: Lessons from Salt

In the same way salt elevates a meal, hospitality enhances the spaces we inhabit and the relationships we nurture. It brings out the best in what’s already there—whether in your workplace, your home, or your community.

But here’s the nuance: salt, when overused, can overwhelm and dominate. Hospitality must also be balanced—it’s about creating a space that’s welcoming and warm, not overbearing or self-serving.

Let’s explore what this parable teaches us:

Hospitality Enhances What’s Already Good

You can have the most pristine design, the trendiest property, or the flashiest presentation, and still be missing something. Hospitality takes what you already have and makes it shine.  

• Example: You might have that well-designed space, but does it welcome people in and feel seen? Add a small touch—a handwritten note, a comforting scent, or soft background music—to make it feel personal and alive.

• Example: At home, instead of just serving a meal, include a note card at each place setting with an encouraging word or favorite memory about the person sitting there.
  

Hospitality Doesn’t Seek Attention

Salt is invisible once it’s mixed in, but its impact is undeniable. True hospitality isn’t about drawing attention to the host; it’s about making others feel cared for and valued.

• Example: If you’re leading a meeting, start by sharing an appreciation for each person’s recent contributions, not in a performative way but as a genuine acknowledgment of their work. Actually give a damn about the person on the other side of table or screen.

• Example: In your personal life, think of the people who’ve been quietly supporting you. Write them a quick note or send a voice message telling them what their presence has meant to you.
  

Hospitality Preserves What Matters Most

Salt doesn’t just enhance; it also preserves. Hospitality helps relationships endure by fostering trust and care.

• Example: After a busy season at work, host a small gathering or send personalized thank-yous to your team, showing them their contributions weren’t just noticed but deeply valued.

• Example: I have this little rule—I don’t think someone randomly coming to mind is an accident. I see it as a sign to shoot them a note. Send a quick message or write a personal note letting them know you thought of them and appreciate them. It’s a small gesture that can go a long way in keeping a relationship alive and meaningful.

A Challenge for This Week: Salt Your Moments

This week, take time to think about how you can sprinkle a little salt into your everyday interactions.

• Where can you enhance? What’s one area where a little extra thought or care could make a big difference?

• What needs preserving? Is there a relationship, a moment, or a connection that could use your intentionality to help it endure?

The beauty of hospitality is that it’s not about creating something new—it’s about bringing meaning to the moments that already exist. And just like salt, when we sprinkle it thoughtfully, it changes everything.

Final Thoughts

Hospitality, like salt, is simple but profound.

It’s not meant to be the star of the show, but its presence changes everything it touches. When we choose to enhance and preserve the moments we encounter, we’re not just making better meals or meetings—we’re making better relationships, better communities, and better lives.

Warmly,
Nathan

P.S. Later this week, I’ll be sharing more about how you can sprinkle salt into your business and life, leading those you serve with a practice and posture of hospitality. This includes a new website, initial offerings, and how you can begin to use Will Guidara’s Unreasonable Hospitality framework to make an impact.

Together, we’ll explore how to reimagine leadership, refine customer journeys, and create intentional moments of welcome that foster meaningful connections, inspire trust and loyalty, and drive sustainable growth. Stay tuned!