- Ascend Beyond
- Posts
- Hells Kitchen and all things Leadership...
Hells Kitchen and all things Leadership...
Chris Kirk
February 28, 2024
Hell’s Kitchen is my Guilty Pleasure… 🔥🔱
Believe it or not Hells Kitchen is one of the most accurate depictions I’ve seen of recruit training.
Honestly, if I had the chance to interview anyone on Leadership, Gordon Ramsey would be top of my list.
Here’s why;
Application of Pressure - It’s a mistake to assume voluntary exposure to stress, pressure and hardship is negative. Gordon has perfected the application of time appropriate pressure. The Military has done this for a long time - fatigue, stress, anxiety and sleep deprivation, then a measurable form of pressure applied over a long period of time - continuously.
It’s like the muscles adapting to the stress of hypertrophy - the fibres tear on a microscopic level, not so much as to seriously damage the muscle or render it useless, but enough to require physiological adaptation.
So to with pressure and people;
The ultimate measure of someone is not where they stand in the their moments of comfort and convenience, but in their moments of challenge and controversy.
Application of Praise - If you praise someone too much it lacks sincerity. It’s true also that different people need different levels of support. Some need their hands held and a little hug to feel okay (believe it or not I would say I fall into the category), and some need a kick up the arse to get their sh!@ in order. Gordon is revered, as many quality leaders and professionals are, so praise from him - especially after some of that afore mentioned pressure is like confidence Rocket Fuel! 🚀
See the thing is - lots of leaders like to shout and scream and stamp their feet. I know because I’ve worked for them - its rarely the answer. Its even less of the answer, if you cant back your shouting and screaming up.
I recall on Special Forces Selection a candidate dropped their rubber C8 rifle into a deep, freezing cold pool of water. He was told to get in - he refused. Profanities ensued… as you can imagine. Shortly after a course instructor, still reeling from the lack of professionalism - jumped in and retrieved the rifle without any moaning, complaining or crying.
In other words - you bloody well better have your nice little yellow quacking ducks in a perfectly formed little line, if you’re going to point the proverbial fat finger and bark the orders.
Stay Stoic Legends! ⚡