What We Can Learn from Chef’s about Vision – Strategy – Execution – Result

Once a company has determined their vision and knows their goal … or as Stephen Covey put it, “begin with the end in mind,” it is important to determine your strategy and plan of execution to accomplish the desired result. One example I learned recently was how the best chef’s plan their day. What is their strategy, how will they execute, and what will their result be? And surprising to me this was like a mini course to developing a good business plan with some of the necessary ingredients Vision, Strategy, Execution, and Result.

Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance 

The best chefs don’t rush into the kitchen and immediately start cooking. Instead, they deliberately take the time to picture the dish they are going to prepare (vision). Then they take the time to mentally visualize the perfect execution of that dish. Then they work backwards by identifying the steps they need to perform (the process) … they select and gather the ingredients and tools they will need at their station. Then they prepare the ingredients into the right proportions or measurements they will need to make the perfect dish and arrange their tools so they can perform their best work. Finally, they execute to get the best result they can to accomplish that perfect dish. In other words, they are strategizing or planning first, and then they execute for the best result.

© Copyright 2016 Phil Hoffman

Leadership … there are many lessons

The last time I went to a symphony concert I caught myself intrigued with the whole experience in a way I never was before. As is my practice, I arrived early to observe how things are setup and prepared just before the performance. I was fascinated by the cohesion and execution of the mentire orchestra under the guidance of the conductor. At the time, I was working for a client on ways to improve his company’s efforts in executing their vision and business plans. I guess in my mind I was still processing how I was going to help my client, and it jumped out at me that here was a teaching lesson. At the performance, it is up to the conductor to pull it all together with composure and style much like the top leader of a company. It occurred to me that the preparation and the conducting required a vision and focus very similar to what a business must do to be successful.

The conductor cannot possibly know how to play all the instruments … can’t write all the music … can’t plan and prepare all the details. Nevertheless, he must lead … he must know how everything blends together, and when. He must know how to plan, prepare, and perform.

Eight Lessons

I made some notes of the parallel between conducting an orchestra and leading a business that occurred to me at the symphony performance and have summarized them here.

1. You have to have a Plan … begin with the end in mind.
2. You want the best people you can get in each position to execute the vision, the plan, and the performance.
3. Like the conductor, the leader needs to be visible to everyone and confident everyone knows his or her part of the plan and that it takes a team effort.
4. The leader has confidence in himself, in his plan, and in his team … he knows that everyone is well prepared and committed.
5. The leader must delegate each team member their assignment while focusing only on what he can do personally.
6. The leader must be cognizant of his gestures and mannerisms and their impact on the team (orchestra) and customers/suppliers (audience).
7. The leader’s intentional focus must be on the company and the teams … in other words, keep your back to the audience, and let the team execute the plan.
8. Give credit and accolades to the team and to any outstanding performances … share the applause.

There are leadership lessons all around us to teach us as leaders and to help us teach others.

What thoughts or insights might you share with us on this subject?

© Phil Hoffman 2013. All rights reserved