I was reading the other day about Gordon Ramsay's restaurants taking a 90% profit dip....of course those of you who may not know he is the centerpiece of Hell's Kitchen TV show, where he basically behaves like a 2 year old child with a tantrum. His screaming and ranting are his signature, but what I find amazing that today we somehow have decided to idolize these mean and nasty people.
In fact, besides the usual suspects in the media -- such as Simon Cowell, Kevin O'Leary (Dragon's Den), Piers Morgan -- we have allowed this to morp
h over into organizational leadership too. The Globe and Mail made Hunter Harrison (CN) last year's CEO of the Year...with the moniker "hardass of the year"....sermonizing about his take no prisoner's approach. And let's face it prior to him Paul Tellier, had a similar reputation.
There are many examples of this -- when teaching a leadership course I ask participants to provide insight into the "good, bad and ugly" of leaders they have encountered. For most, it is easier to give multiple examples of the bad -- screamers, control freaks, liars etc -- then of the good. Yet one thing is constant...when they are working for good leaders -- those who are just, fair, encourage and mentor -- their productivity goes up, as does their creativity.
Perhaps it is time that we stop making folk heroes out of those who do not know how to lead and be able to provide constructive criticism to ensure that people grow and flourish. This is not Pollyanna ramblings -- I have held many leadership roles over the years and thankfully most people would chose to work with me again -- not because I created a country club atmosphere, but because I helped them develop beyond their expectations -- by being direct, honest and above all a mentor. These people delivered amazing results and although it was their work, and they were cred
ited with it -- they made me look good -- and for that I am thankful.
Let's make heroes out of those who have emotional and social intelligence -- a return to civility -- not hailing the bullies in the backyard.
So to Gordon Ramsay lamenting the loss in profit in his restaurants -- no sympathy hear
In fact, besides the usual suspects in the media -- such as Simon Cowell, Kevin O'Leary (Dragon's Den), Piers Morgan -- we have allowed this to morp
h over into organizational leadership too. The Globe and Mail made Hunter Harrison (CN) last year's CEO of the Year...with the moniker "hardass of the year"....sermonizing about his take no prisoner's approach. And let's face it prior to him Paul Tellier, had a similar reputation.There are many examples of this -- when teaching a leadership course I ask participants to provide insight into the "good, bad and ugly" of leaders they have encountered. For most, it is easier to give multiple examples of the bad -- screamers, control freaks, liars etc -- then of the good. Yet one thing is constant...when they are working for good leaders -- those who are just, fair, encourage and mentor -- their productivity goes up, as does their creativity.
Perhaps it is time that we stop making folk heroes out of those who do not know how to lead and be able to provide constructive criticism to ensure that people grow and flourish. This is not Pollyanna ramblings -- I have held many leadership roles over the years and thankfully most people would chose to work with me again -- not because I created a country club atmosphere, but because I helped them develop beyond their expectations -- by being direct, honest and above all a mentor. These people delivered amazing results and although it was their work, and they were cred
ited with it -- they made me look good -- and for that I am thankful.Let's make heroes out of those who have emotional and social intelligence -- a return to civility -- not hailing the bullies in the backyard.
So to Gordon Ramsay lamenting the loss in profit in his restaurants -- no sympathy hear
2 comments:
I agree with you, Gordon Ramsay Simon Cowell are getting that attention that they don't deserve. I believe the real heros deserve the spotlight, not the adults who demand the attention like a 2 year old does.
So to Gordon Ramsay lamenting the loss in profit in his restaurants -- no sympathy hear
That's either a typo or most extremely clever wordplay! Being a "nice" person, I'll take it on faith it is extremely clever wordplay.
...what I find amazing that today we somehow have decided to idolize these mean and nasty people.
Hey, speak for yourself.
To be honest, I have to admit I tried to watch several episodes of Hell's Kitchen. It wasn't because I idolized this Ramsay character but more along the lines of watching a train wreck in slow motion. I knew something terrible was happening and I wanted to look away but my brain just wouldn't allow it.
Luckily, as is often the case with television train wrecks, my disability only lasted for the first series.
A return to civility sounds good to me but you know, "nice" people like us rarely get to make such decisions. It's possible we reside in that creative five percent of the population who are good at starting and making things, then we lose interest and the assholes take over.
Sorry for writing "assholes" but we are, after all, talking about Gordon Ramsay, neh? How could I NOT use that word?
Post a Comment