From chef to leader… Here is my personal journey and some of the key lessons I learned!

Once upon a time, I was a Head Chef of a prestigious banqueting centre in Bristol (yes, I am a woman of many talents!). I was focused on tasks, deadlines, and making sure everything was running like clockwork. I thought that’s all it took. But then something happened that changed my perspective entirely! 🤔

It was a Monday morning (isn’t it always? 😅), and one of my new chefs — let’s call her Lisa — came to me with a problem. She was overwhelmed, struggling with her transition into a very busy kitchen, and honestly, I was too busy to give it much thought. I gave her a quick solution, and off she went. But a week later, Lisa’s performance was still slipping. ​

That’s when it hit me. I wasn’t leading — I was just managing! I realised that my role wasn’t just about making sure things got done; it was about helping my team thrive. So, I decided to change my approach…

I learned all about DISC profiling, started having more in-depth conversations with my team, made an effort to understand their challenges, and helped them find their own solutions.

💞 Instead of giving orders, I asked questions.

🤩 Instead of focusing solely on results, I started focusing on growth — both mine and theirs!

The transformation was incredible! Not only did Lisa turn things around, but the entire team became more engaged, more creative, and more productive. We were working cohesively! So much so that I had the same brigade with me for the next 7 years until I trained Lisa to take over my role and left the industry. 👏

The biggest lesson? Leadership is about people! It’s about inspiring, not just instructing. And most importantly, it’s about growing together. 🥰

How have you transitioned from managing to leading❓
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