Career Tips I Learnt from Watching Hours and Hours of Gordon Ramsay

Over the past year I have become addicted to watching Gordon Ramsay videos. His passion for food, coupled with his brutal honesty and command of the English language, is a marvel to behold. I mean in one episode, he calls someone a ‘Panini Head’. That in itself is worth a Michelin Star.

Something I’ve realised is that you don’t have month-long YouTube spirals of Gordon Ramsay, without picking up a few tips from the man himself. Sure the advice he gives is wrapped in a pastry blanket of intense screaming, and vividly poetic insults, but the valuable message is there, perfectly cooked on the inside.

Communication is Key

Good communication is a fundamental quality of a functioning team. It’s evident on Ramsay’s shows that poor communication leads to a kitchen in disarray. When you are an effective communicator, it is much simpler to delegate roles, manage conflicts and build trust amongst the team. Be aware of your language, tone and body language. Also remember, that it is a two way street. When one is speaking, the other should be actively listening.

Adapting to the communication preference of your team and working on refining these soft skills is something you should aim to improve throughout your entire career.

Learn From Your Mistakes

We’ve all done something that has made us feel like a real idiot sandwich, but it’s what we do after these mistakes that determines our professional progress. If you’ve ever watched Hell’s Kitchen you’ll know that the contestants are always messing up. The way the show is edited, it’s hard to believe they have ever seen food before. However, by the end of the season, the finalists are much tougher, better chefs and capable leaders.

Mistakes have a way of exposing our weaknesses which is a major reason why it can have such a strong effect on us. Being resilient in these moments is important for your professional career and also your mental health. If you make a mistake, take accountability for it and present a possible solution to fix it. .

Without failure there is no reason to learn, and without learning, we don’t get better.

Ask For Help

On Kitchen Nightmares it’s Ramsay’s job to help financially struggling restaurants get back on their feet. One of the common themes from the show, is the owners being in denial about needing help. Not going to lie, this part of the episode is always where their ego gets in the way. They don’t ask their team for assistance, and it sometimes even leads to them refusing help from Ramsay himself.

It’s happened to all of us. You take on too many things with a smile until suddenly, you’re overwhelmed with deadlines. In a work environment where we are trying to prove our individual performance, it’s a common feeling to be reluctant to ask for help. In reality, teams exist to work together to achieve a common goal. It can be surprising how willing people are to offer a helping hand.

Remember, you’re all in it together. Even Batman has Robin! Or in this context, even Gordon Ramsay has his sous chef Scott (who is equally as insane).

“I don’t like looking back. I’m always constantly looking forward. I’m not the one to sort of sit and cry over spilt milk. I’m too busy looking for the next cow.”

Gordon Ramsey

Feature image courtesy of 2KTUU

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