Carmy’s Evolution in The Bear: A Journey of Transformation
Scott J. Allen, Ph.D.
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I think it’s very clear that me trying to fix the restaurant was me trying to fix whatever was happening with my brother. – Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto
My friend David Fearon first turned me on to The Bear. We recorded a podcast together, and he said, “You’ve got to watch this series!” I did, and I am so thankful. Chef Carmy’s (The Bear) growth and development through the three seasons provide a front-row seat to one man’s developmental journey. He grows and evolves as a chef and human, facing demoralizing setbacks, overwhelming joy, and everything in between. Looking at his development through Kegan’s developmental framework gives us a great tool to understand his evolution. Likewise, a strong appreciation of David McCallum/Val Livesay’s concept of fallback is instrumental in making sense of Carmy’s growth.?
Finding Voice
We meet Carmy in season one as he is trying to meet everyone else’s expectations, especially those of his family. He constantly works to prove himself – as a chef, a cousin, a boss, and as someone capable of doing something extraordinary. But as the series progresses, particularly by season three, he starts to establish his own path. Using Kegan’s framework, we see this as a shift from a socialized mind heavily influenced by others to the introduction of a self-authoring mind, starting to define his values and goals. Carmy’s “Non-Negotiables” captures his shift towards doing things his way and creating his own vision for the restaurant.
Managing Emotions
Carmy’s emotional journey is another significant aspect of his growth. In the beginning, he’s overwhelmed with anxiety, anger, doubt, and the weight of his past. However, over time, he starts to gain better control over his emotions. By season three, he’s learned to handle his feelings in a much healthier way. Of course, we witness him fallback often, but he’s trying and working to respond differently than in the past (e.g., his apology to his cousin at the beginning of season three). Carmy’s life has been marked by professional and personal trauma; season three begins by showing how it regularly affects him but also how he’s learning to cope with it and not let it control him. Kegan's framework describes this as moving from being “subject” to his emotions to reflecting on and better managing them.
Integration of Self
Coming to terms with his past trauma has been a considerable part of Carmy's journey. Early on, his brother’s death and family’s legacy are a dark cloud hanging over him. The episode Fishes shows this transition, offering a deep dive into family dynamics and the roots of his trauma. Episode one of the third season beautifully captures his struggle on all fronts (wow, that Nine Inch Nails song Together sets such an incredible tone). As the series evolves, he becomes more proactive in confronting these issues head-on (e.g., visiting Al-Anon, opening up to his sister, Sugar, and partnering with Sydney). Instead of being defined by his past, he begins to integrate these experiences into his self-authored identity. Kegan’s theory would describe this as a move towards a more integrated self, where past experiences are not just experienced as burdens but as part of a cohesive narrative he can reflect upon that helps him grow.
Watching Carmy grow in The Bear is a front-row seat to a person’s transformation. He evolves from being stuck in others’ expectations to finding his voice, managing his inner world better, and coming to terms with his past. It’s more than just a story about a chef—it's a powerful narrative about personal growth and resilience, beautifully framed by developmental theory. It’s difficult to watch sometimes. But it’s 100% human—the good, the bad and the ugly. A few steps forward, two steps back, one step sideways, and a huge lunge forward. It’s not linear, but I am rooting for him.
What are you seeing? What other perspectives do you have on the narrative?
If you would like to learn more about the intersection of adult development and leadership, here is a wonderful primer by my friend Reo Watanabe. Below are a few podcast episodes I recorded recently with three thought leaders. And thank you to Jonathan, Deborah, and Val for their feedback on earlier drafts of this blog post!
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Each week, I connect a film or television series to some aspect of leadership. Here are some recent posts:
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Adaptive Leadership, Collective Learnership, Learning Design & System Curation
7 个月This eloquent and insightful review of The Bear by Sarah Krasnostein captures the way this remarkable series, “continues to astutely explore the transformative powers of human relationships”. https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/culture/television/2024/07/31/the-bears-season-3
Leadership coach & educator | Organization development
7 个月Thanks, Scott J. Allen, Ph.D., for your reflections on Carmy's journey. I see his milestones, too, though I'm currently annoyed (in fallback?) with Carmy over his non-negotiables. Where's the conversation and shared vision, Carmy??? I also see the stages in other characters, like Marcus and Richie ("Cousin"). Maybe creator Christopher Storer is a devotee of ADT?
Co-founder AVRIS & Head of Immersive Content Development INSEAD
7 个月Thanks Scott J. Allen, Ph.D. for sharing this insightful analysis! The Bear is also one of my favorites! By the way - check this out and see if you find it useful for your future teaching or posts. It's an immersive experience about leadership, innovation, culture, and sustainability. And yes, it also takes place in a restaurant.. https://xr.insead.edu/experience/beyond-sustainability-blue-hill
Nicely explained and illustrated!
Director at Minds At Work; Lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education
7 个月Great post, Scott! So helpful to have clear, relatable examples of adult development.