Leadership and Cooking

Since one of my goals is to do things that I love more, here is a fun little blog post I put together that connects Cooking and Leadership, two of my favorite things. Both I consider an art (as well as a science of course).

I have heard many talk about the art of leadership and the art of cooking, let's talk about both! I love leadership and cooking because it allows me to take different things, put them together and make them beautiful. Cooking and Leadership are similar in many ways. Here are five ways in which they are connected!

Cooking and Leadership.....

1. They are both seen as processes: In Wikipedia Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task”. Although I do not agree with the "one person" part of the sentence, the point is made that it is the process of working together for a common goal. In cooking, there is the process of shopping, using a cookbook for guidance maybe, broiling, baking and sauteeing. All things that contribute to making something wonderful.

2. Leadership and Cooking both incorporate a number of ingredients that enhance. In cooking, people use citrus to bring out flavor in dishes. Everything is better with a little lemon. In leadership, we use training, self exploration and collaboration to bring out the best in leaders. The more that you add, the better everything will be! (Caution: maybe not the lemon in this case)

3. Leadership and Cooking engage participants in a collaborative learning. Think about the last time that you made something at home, who helped you? Did you go shopping with a loved one to find the ingredients? Were you taught by a loved one as a child to prepare the dish? Did you teach a friend in college to make it? I would guess that your answer is probably yes. Cooking is a fun thing to do that is both tasty and educational. Leadership, especially Feminist leadership is all about collaboration, we learn from one another through experiences. When we work together to make change or bring people together (not mutually exclusive) we learn from one another, and we learn about ourselves in relationship with others. What a great experience participating in leadership can be!

4. Leadership and Cooking allow us to serve others. When cooking, we are often making something for our friends and family. We share ourselves with others and help to fill their stomachs and their souls with love that comes straight from our hands and hearts. Maybe you remember a time when you made dinner for your family to thank them for their support, or baked a cake for a friend on their birthday. Or even spent some time preparing food, for those who are food insufficient. In any situation you are nurturing them, utilizing your skills and resources to make their lives a little easier and a little more enjoyable. Now for leadership, I believe that leadership is all about serving the community. Recently I attended a conference in which the keynote speaker, President Ed Ray said, "Successful leadership is not about you". This exemplifies the idea that leadership is about service, it is about lifting up others in the process and as a result of the process. Good leaders find out what the world needs, and what they are good at and engaged in the intersection. In short, service is a main ingredient to leadership.

One more, if you can think of anything else, please feel free to add on:

5. Leadership and Cooking feed your soul. Well atleast they feed mine, which is probably another reason why I chose this theme. Leadership has always been a passion of mine since I was a leader on the playground in elementary school as a peer conflict manager. It makes me so happy to engage with other people in various situations. I especially love advising new leaders, students who maybe do not yet identify as being a leader, just involved. I love to figure out what makes them tick, help them to know their own strengths and utilize them, and how to communicate and work with others. Cooking also feeds my soul, I love to engage in the process in which beautiful things become something even more beautiful because they are together. I can say this also for groups of women leaders.