Anyone who knows me is aware that each fall I go through a ritual each fall of making between 75-125 pumpkin pies from scratch. We make a trek to the local pumpkin patch and pick pumpkins of just the right size, shape, density, and weight and transform them into a delicious pumpkin custard filling for pies which I give to friends, peers, and particularly people whom I lead. I’ve been perfecting the recipe literally all of my life, as I began cooking pumpkin pies when I was in elementary school. It started because I was curious as to how a pumpkin at Halloween was able to turn into a pie for Thanksgiving. I asked my mother and she went across the kitchen and handed me a whole pumpkin. “Here, this is where they come from.” That was the extent of her pumpkin pie making knowledge, but she was willing to buy me whatever ingredients I wanted, so I began my quest for the perfect pumpkin pie. Some people say that I have indeed discovered the holy grail of this wonderful holiday treat. What does that have to do with leadership, you may ask? I’ll tell you!
First off, you could have the very best recipe in the world for a pumpkin pie, but if you don’t start with the right pumpkins, you’ll be out of luck. It’s the same with people on your team. Many times leaders know what they want to accomplish and they have a great strategic plan to get them to their goals, but unfortunately they have the wrong people on the team. We all know that it is much harder to remove or change a member of team than it is to choose the right people in the beginning. So, as with pumpkins, the leader’s first responsibility is to be very careful to bring aboard people who will bring value to the team. They must have the three C’s – character, competence, and chemistry – so that they will fit into the group, plus they need to be fully aligned with the mission of the organization and fit in with the culture. Misalignment of any of these things will make your pie just not taste right!
Next, every pumpkin I select goes through an extensive process of preparation. I clean and cook them, then they go through the food processor and await being mixed with the other “just right” ingredients that blend together to make the perfect pie. It’s the same with team members. Even if a leader picks the right people, they must invest in them by preparing them to do the right things at the right times for the right results and the right reasons! A pumpkin doesn’t just make itself into pie by itself; the chef has to do that. Leaders must be the chef with their people in order to get the best results.
To enjoy the best pie, it must be cooked at the right heat for the right amount of time. Have you ever noticed that the best teams emerge only after they have had to go through the heat that comes with the challenges of today’s competitive environments? As does a chef, so does a leader have to monitor how much heat and for how long. People can withstand a lot of challenging situations, but leaders must understand that they can’t expect their team to thrive if they are always in the hottest oven. People have to be able to occasionally cool down on the counter (or on a beach, or at a ball game). The smart chef and leader knows when to turn up the heat and when to let things chill.
The last thing I’ve really learned from making all these pies is that people are most committed to an organization and the leader when they are made to feel valued, cared for, and appreciated. Many years ago I began making enough pies so that I could give a pie to everyone who was a part of the work we do together. I’ve given away as many as approximately 150 pies in a season, and each time I hand a pie to someone, they always perk up and smile. They may not even like pumpkin pie, but when I hand it to them they feel special and cared for. It’s my way of saying not only thank you, but that they are important to the team. The best leaders (which I am trying to become) take the time to pour themselves into the people they lead. Giving them something even as simple as a pie is a great tool of leadership. I realize some of you just said to yourself, giving a pie isn’t simple! So, do something else that is. There isn’t a Saturday morning in the fall that I don’t provide donuts at the warehouse where we build all the scenery and props for the Christmas event. There isn’t much simpler than that!
Pick the right people. Prepare them for success. Watch the heat. Let them know that you care about them. It’s the same when making 3000 pumpkin pies or building a committed team. Just in case you want a pie…join the team. I’ll be glad to find the right spot for you!
Lead well.