Five lasting leadership lessons from the kitchen

I loved every bite of my recent dinner at Zion in St. Barth. Each course burst with inventive flavors and was more delicious than the next. As my husband and I enjoyed the tasting menu in front of the open-air kitchen, I realized I was observing lasting leadership lessons from their hard-working chefs.

Lesson 1: Be calm to create calm.

Even though the Zion team was understaffed (their main chef was out that night), they calmly monitored the influx of new orders as they prepared meals with pride and deliberation. The absence of stress in the kitchen highlighted the power of composure amidst chaos. I worked in many restaurants and was amazed that at Zion there was no stress, no strain, no one raising their voice – just pure joy. The chefs set the relaxed vibe that pervaded the entire restaurant.

Showing poise in the face of stressful situations is the essence of executive presence and the ability to inspire confidence in others.

As Liz Wiseman explains in the Multipliers, intensity should never turn into tension. Multipliers “create an intense environment that requires people’s best thinking and work.”

Lesson 2: Plan ahead to create speed.

The chefs swiftly sautéed, fried, and grilled each dinner order while reaching for sauces, butter, salt, and other spices, which were well organized and in their proper places for easy access. The sauces were prepared in advance, so the chefs were able to quickly add their final touches before the sauces were poured over the fish, meat, and vegetable dishes. Preparation earlier that day led to a calm, efficient dinner rush.

Meticulous planning and readiness lead to accelerated execution, a competitive advantage.

As in business, speed is a core principle of war as highlighted in Sun Tzu’s The Art of War: “it is a substitute for resources, it shocks and surprises the enemy, it is critical to exploiting weaknesses and opportunities, and it builds momentum.”

Lesson 3: Create a big customer experience with every little detail.

The Zion chefs were enthusiastic about all the steps in the preparation process for every appetizer, dinner, and dessert. They stirred the sauces for the proper consistency, tested each dish for the right flavor, and plated the final product with passion and creativity.

This attention to detail resulted in an exceptional dining experience and mirrors McKinsey’s view of tackling the entire customer journey holistically by understanding how customers navigate across touchpoints and anticipating customers’ needs and expectations during each part of the journey.

Lesson 4: Be respectful.

The two chefs focused on their distinct roles and moved comfortably in their designated spaces in the kitchen. They pitched in to help each other finish a sauce and clear a pot. No task was beneath them. Respectfully, they collaborated to prepare dishes while leaning on their unique skills to ensure a divine dining experience.

Have you seen the restaurant comedy-drama, The Bear on Hulu? The series offers many leadership lessons including the importance of respect.

“A successful team dynamic starts with value and dignity—proactively recognizing the intrinsic worth of every single team member, regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or experience level. It’s about showing consideration.”

Lesson 5: Provide clarity.

At Zion, everyone - from the chefs to the sommelier/bartender - was clear on their role and communicated with intent and simplicity. The chefs explained the origin and unique ingredients of every course. The sommelier clarified the wine menu by sharing stories about each wine’s sweetness, body, and complexity. Everyone had a sense of purpose and delivered on the desired expectations of the Zion management team.

When a team has clarity, everyone has a clear understanding of everything they need to know about the work required to achieve their goal. Organizational clarity takes effort by leadership and employees. Creating a culture of trust shows that leadership is listening, and people feel they are truly heard and their contribution is valued.

As I reflect on that extraordinary dinner, I'm reminded that the essence of leadership can be found in unexpected places. Zion's chefs didn't just serve amazing dishes; they served enduring lessons in leadership, leaving a lasting mark on both my palate and perspective. I’ll be back to Zion.

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