'It finally dawned on me': The 3-word phrase that made Shake Shack founder a better leader.

Danny Meyer, who built an eatery empire from New York's fine-dining scene to Shake Shack locations across the country, was insecure in his early career. However, a simple leadership mantra helped him overcome his self-doubt: "Use your words."

According to Meyer, the founder and executive chairman of Union Square Hospitality Group, who spoke at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in March, one common challenge faced by first-time leaders is the desire to be liked rather than respected by others.

An episode featuring the conversation was recently released on Grant's "WorkLife" podcast.

In 1985, Meyer opened Union Square Cafe, a restaurant where "half the people working for me were older," he said. There, his management approach largely skirted direct communication.

"Meyer admitted that his leadership philosophy was weak, stating, "If you see me doing it, that's what I expect you to do." He also revealed that in the early days, he had a bad habit of asking for favors instead of giving clear instructions."

After opening his second restaurant, Gramercy Tavern, in 1994, he realized the need to communicate his expectations clearly to his workforce. He made it "crystal clear" what success looked like for employees and communicated those guidelines from the beginning when hiring someone.

Meyer's restaurants expect their staff to exhibit excellence, hospitality, entrepreneurial spirit, and integrity. They hold people accountable to these expectations during the hiring and review process.

Meyer's leadership style today is different from his past approach of seeking permission to direct his staff. According to Stanford University organizational behavior lecturer Matt Abrahams, being assertive is an effective way to command people's attention, as he stated in March on CNBC Make It.

Abrahams' advice: Don't ask for authority — just exercise it.

""By asking a question, standing in silence, or making a provocative declarative sentence, you can help people listen, even if you need to repeat yourself," he said."

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