Not Everyone is a Leader
This morning I watched this week’s episode of the television show Hell’s Kitchen.
Warning: Stop reading if you watch the show but haven’t seen this week’s episode yet. I don’t want to spoil it for you.
This reality show focuses on wanna-be chef’s vying for the job as head chef at a fancy Las Vegas restaurant. The contestants formed two teams and each week they must work together to prepare a hoity-toity dining experience for their customers.
Each week one chef is eliminated.
This week Maribel was sent from the kitchen. Her chef jacket was pierced onto a hook and her photo went up in flames. That’s what happens when you get banished from Hell’s Kitchen.
I’ve never warmed up to Maribel. She’s been too much of a follower in past episodes and hasn’t stepped forward to take charge and take a chance. Chef Ramsey offered that same opinion as the reason why he chose to eliminate her this week.
The position she was competing for, Executive Chef in a luxurious eatery, would certainly be high pressure and fast paced. Not everyone has the temperament or drive to succeed in that type of environment.
Some people thrive in that adrenaline-stoked setting for the duration of the activity (serving period) but then like to leave with no lingering stress or responsibilities beyond doing the best that they can at their tasks.
Others thrive on the added responsibilities of leadership. Of putting things together, making decisions, dealing with crisis… putting out fires (in this case that might be quite literal!).
If your dream is to be a leader but no one recognizes you as having the talent or ability to be a leader, know that you can develop these skills.
- Start small by assembling a small team of people for a work, home or community project.
- Share your vision, your plan and your goals
- Get feedback from the people on your team
- Delegate tasks with clear instructions and expectations
- Stay in touch with your team members to get progress updates, see if they have questions, make sure they are on task, etc.
- Overcome challenges, recognize progress, celebrate successes
- Wrap things up when your project is completed by thanking your team, asking them for feedback on what worked well and what could be improved, and giving yourself a pat on the back
- Choose your next leadership project!
Just because you don’t have a skill today, doesn’t mean you can’t develop it and put it to work for you tomorrow.
Maribel didn’t succeed at this dream of becoming a executive chef. But that doesn’t mean she has to give up that dream. I hope that she doesn’t. There are many kitchens around the world that could use a good cook in them. Mine is probably at the top of the list. 
