London VYAP - London Very Young Arbitration Practitioners’ Post

The power of love These 2 amazing young men are leaders from our Bromley restaurant in the UK. They are more than colleagues, they are family. Today @NirenBista and @DevonteFalconer visited our seafood supplier Direct Seafoods. A note to all execs out there, L&D people, Restaurant owners.... Giving people meaning and providing them with experiences that are life-enriching will pay off 1000X over. Meaning, context and relationships trumps KPI's, scorecards and controls any day. I am not saying that a business does not need checks and balances - AND it is time to assess where we put our attention and money. Is it more on controls, audits and check lists versus creating meaning, engaging and enriching. It's about shifting the focus, not applying an 'either or' mentality. My colleagues have learnt a great deal about seafood while they have been part of our team, and now so many of their questions are answered, their minds opened up. Ocean Basket is committed to just one protein - the underdog of all proteins. What an incredible opportunity. The founders' dreams of creating opportunities for all who engage with our brand is alive and well. #seafoodrestaurants #seafood #employeeengagement #Londonrestaurants #leadership

Why do we need people to challenge us? What’s the upside of having our cage rattled? Today I had the privilege of delivering my “Fearless Leadership” workshop where we drilled down into the two biggest fears that hold us back; fear of rejection and fear of failure. One of the things that used to get in the way for me as a leader was fear of rejection, and because of that I tended to take it quite badly when people challenged me. I would take it as rejection. However I learned to reframe that rejection as a positive thing; being open to challenge is a sign of strong leadership not weak leadership. The picture below is a perfect example of why being challenged is a good thing. It depicts the great upset that occurred when wine connoisseurs, in a blind tasting, unanimously agreed that the Californian wine was superior to the French wine. Nobody there liked having their views challenged but it marked a turning point for the wine industry and allowed us to enjoy some first class new world wines. (Just to be sure I took part in a wine tasting last night at The Vineyard where this picture can be found, and I can confirm the wine WAS wonderful.) So you see, being open to challenge can be the catalyst for many wonderful things. Big thanks to Sarah Green and Martin Knights for inviting me to give this workshop (and for kick-starting it with a wine tour last night….that’s something I will never challenge.) #workshop #leadership #fearofrejection #psychologicalsafety #collectiveintelligence #decisionmaking #growthmindset

Toxic environments are generally created by leaders with deep insecurities and a lack of self-awareness. At any level of an organisation, the team leader sets the culture with their actions and the words they use every single day.    As team leaders, we have a fantastic opportunity to motivate and inspire our respective teams. My approach is rooted in empathy and trust, focusing on both the external environment and the interactions within my team.   I believe in listening carefully and assessing the unique qualities each of my team brings to the table. At QSI we are fostering and encouraging an environment that builds trust to a greater and more personal level than team members are used to, as well as giving them the opportunity for individual growth by significantly raising their own self-awareness. I encourage challenge both within the team and of myself. If team members are challenging me, or each other, effectively then they are naturally engaged in what is being said or proposed.   I am convinced that when you reach the end of your career and retire, you will look back and most of your greatest memories will involve the people you worked with rather than the brands or companies. My goal is that in 20 years’ time everyone working in QSI today will look back and say that was the best team I ever worked in!   https://lnkd.in/eaaKQKYR   #QualitySpiritsInternational #Winningteam 

Wonderful workshop today with Sarah Furness on Fearless Leadership. At times it can be so difficult to take the time out of the business to reflect and learn from others - but it is so worth it when you do manage to create the space! We covered a lot of ground but it’s those 2 - 3 key techniques that stay with you after sessions like Sarah’s that I know I can use to make an immediate difference. Thank you Sarah Furness and Sarah Green for a very valuable workshop and for the opportunity to learn. #fearlessleadership #growthmindset Bite IT Marketing

Chefs, if you’ve been thinking about coaching, now’s the time! I have 2 spots that have opened up.    Click below to learn more about coaching and apply today.  https://lnkd.in/eFy4rJmy    #legitconcepts #geraldlford #professionalchefs #masterchef #certifiedmasterchef #chef #clubchef #hospitalityindustry #executivechef #culinarymasterycoaching 

how to lead...

Curious why some restaurants thrive while others struggle? It’s not just about the food! 🌟 Operational efficiency and strong leadership can make all the difference. With over 17 years in the industry, I’ve helped countless businesses avoid costly mistakes and drive profitability. Let’s talk about how strategic consulting can transform your operations. Comment below if you'd like to hear more about my approach. #operationalefficiency #strongleadership #costlymistakes #17years #17year #hearmore #intheindustry #restaurants #restaurant #efficiency #leadership #difference #years #industrial #industries #businesses #business #mistakes #profitability #consulting #operation #comment #approach #struggle #help #avoid #drive #talk #transform

Last month, I had dinner with the master sommelier of Silver Sea Cruises.  The conversation wasn't just about wine - it was about mastery. Imagine tasting five first-growth wines from France's left bank.  For wine enthusiasts, this is the equivalent of test-driving five Ferraris in one day.  A true once-in-a-lifetime experience. But what struck me most wasn't the exceptional wines - it was Frank's (the master sommelier) approach to his craft. Here was someone operating purely in his zone of genius.  His energy wasn't split between management meetings or operational tasks.  He was laser-focused on what he did best: mastering and sharing his expertise about wine. It reminded me of a crucial leadership lesson: When we allow people to work in their zone of genius - whether that's selecting world-class wines or writing code - they don't just perform tasks. They create experiences. They innovate. They excel. Too often, we dilute expertise by asking people to wear all three hats, or sit in all three seats.  We pull them away from their craft for the sake of "growth" or "efficiency." But true value isn't created by being average at many things.  It comes from being exceptional at what you do best. Thank you, Frank, for this delicious reminder about the power of staying true to your craft. What's your zone of genius? Are you getting enough time to operate in it? P.S. Yes, the wines were extraordinary. 🍷 #Leadership #Expertise #ReturnOnEnergy

Luxury Mastermind: How I Connect CEOs in the Best NYC Restaurants Discover how I organize exclusive mastermind events for CEOs in the most luxurious restaurants in New York City. Learn the secrets behind successful networking and building connections with influential leaders while enjoying breathtaking views and delicious cuisine. #LuxuryMastermind #CEONetworking #ExclusiveEvents #NYCRestaurants #BusinessConnections #InfluentialLeaders #NetworkingTips #LuxuryDining #BusinessSuccess #SuccessfulNetworking

🍺 beer/leadership musings: In Dubai this week, options available at the bar: all the ‘international brands’ I referred to last week (= bland). And: they were out of Guiness! Based on sampling, the best I can say is: those beers have clarity… but lack character. Clarity is something most groups/teams/systems want (demand, crave). There seems to be a popular expectation that the leader must provide clarity, now. I’m not convinced. I’ve learnt to be wary of this dynamic. In ambiguity (i.e. life), consistent clarity is not possible. Why the clamour? Whats going on? I don’t think a leader should buy into it. I’d say the leader’s role is to guide and support staff through. Not create a dependency on themselves or worse, suggest they can ‘solve’ for clarity. Like dark beer, it takes more time + effort. It’s a journey - that still requires strategy and alignment. Like dark beer the results and impact are far better. Like dark beer, that takes character. It’s less popular - but when has leadership been about popularity? Cheers 🍻 #whataboutthebeer #leadershipcharacter