I’m not really the biggest fan of his or even watch his shows too often but I do find him a curious spectacle. Mostly because he exemplifies what so wrong and right about leaders in the creative fields. First top five of what’s right wrong with his creative leadership.
1) Yelling. If you have to yell you’re not commanding any respect. It’s time to re-evaluate your whole style.
2) Too much negative criticism. Learning how to critique properly and giving positive direction that keeps the troops motivated is a skill few master and few are as bad at as Chef Ramsey. I’m not saying professionals need sugar coating, but please tell someone what they did right too and give them solid direction on how to improve what they’ve done. Understanding your way isn’t the only the right way is how you become a multiplier and not a diminisher of others’ talents.
3) Very little leading by example. Great creative leaders teach by showing as much as they do by critiquing.
4) He’s deaf to his people. Yeah, a lot of the people he works with on TV don’t listen but he doesn’t try to relate to them on their level either. Creative leaders have to get to know their people so they bring the best out of them.
5) He’s adversarial. Why the hell would anyone put themselves on the line for someone who isn’t on the same side? Great creative leaders make their team understand that they’re all in it together.
OK. Yeah the guy does a lot wrong but there are a few things that come accross on his TV personality that I really admire.
1) Passion. You can’t watch his show and not understand the guy is deeply passionate about his craft. Leaders have to show passion if they expect people to follow them.
2) He’s a student of his craft and he’s well educated about its practice. Creative leaders need to be able to communicate not just knowledge but the importance of life long learning.
3) Hard work and determination. He obviously puts in the effort. When leaders slack off the minions take notice. When they bust their ass and get results, it sets a damn good example.
4) He’s an advocate of his craft. Leaders should speak out in defense of their craft whether it be on a blog like this or on a television show like his. Viewers of his show should gain an appreciation of the culinary arts.
5) He’s a mentor. All-be-it one of the nastiest mentors on television but he does seems to want to take certain people under his wing. Creative leaders who care about the craft as a whole should help build its future.
6) He listens to his customers. Great creative leaders gain acceptance, responsibility, respect, admiration, and success for themselves and those in their employ by listening to and knowing what to do with feedback.
Well, I guess he’s doing more right than wrong by my tally. What do you think?
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