Are you a Star Baker? - Week 2

What 4 key ingredients did biscuit week give us last night for Delivering Results?

1.      Provide clearly defined expectations – create a clear picture of what good looks like with targets, objectives and goals

Clear expectations set for 36 uniform in shape, texture and flavour signature Florentines with a perfect snap and decorated with chocolate in 2 hours

Technical challenge – follow instructions to bake 12 equal sized macaroons – 6 with mango curd and 6 with chocolate

Showstopper challenge – 3D moulded biscuit table setting of a memorable occasion in 4 hours.

2.      Make a plan to achieve the expected results – timings, resources needed, identify potential issues and risks, any assumptions and interdependencies. Identify challenges and mitigate with possible solutions

Sura’s collateral damage in the showstopper - “that’s why I made extra”

Prue’s advice in the technical challenge to “read your recipe, no going off piste”

Paul’s warning of potential issues that Florentines can be “tricky”

The regular time checks – “1-minute left”, “you are halfway through” and “1/2 hour left”

Laura practising the showstopper 15 times to ensure achieving the expected results

However, Matt’s mitigation to “just go out and buy some macaroons” isn’t quite the approach needed to Deliver Results.

3.      Assign tasks according to individual’s strengths – encourage autonomy, appropriate risk taking and creativity, and create an environment where everyone can achieve their potential

Linda’s brave and delicate shortbread

Sura’s creative cardamom tea served with her Florentines

Lottie telling Neil that she was ready for him to leave now and let her achieve what she was doing

Laura – adding a bit extra for luck in her showstopper!

Marc’s “surprisingly original” square Florentines and Peter’s “truly unique Florentines”

Mark - who during the technical challenge demonstrated risk taking and autonomy by “it’s hard not to lose your nerve when everyone else is so far ahead” and achieving 2nd place.

4.      Review regularly and communicate progress – measure progress, provide feedback and celebrate successes

Prue and Paul’s feedback – “bit untidy”, slightly longer in the oven”, “snaps quite well” “flavour is delicious” and “piping a little peculiar”

The scoring of worst to best in the technical challenge

Telling Peter that “you did really well last week…what have you got in store for us?”

Dave celebrating his own success in the technical challenge, improving from 9th last week to 1st this week

The Paul Hollywood handshake – motivation and recognition for Lottie

Rowan getting feedback to develop “I said last week to simplify things” and “I know you can do more”

Again, Matt’s style of communicating through rap might not get the desired results

If we consider the 4 key ingredients above as the recipe for success to Deliver Results, we should not be surprised with the overall outcome:

Failure to follow the clear brief, objective and ultimate goal to deliver a moulded showstopper. Lack of planning and unpractised peacock feather (which looked like tennis rackets) and were “a step into the unknown”. Misplaced risk taking, admitting measuring ? teaspoon to a teaspoon in each one of the Florentines and “some people measure…I haven’t got the patience”. 

To the final constructive feedback – “the baker going home this week is Mak”

If you are wanting your leaders to Deliver Results, why not get in touch with JB Training Partners to talk about leadership development (and I’ll bring the cake).