Every good company or business needs a leader, without they are doomed to fail. So what makes a good leader? This is a question hundreds of people have tried thousands of ways to solve. However, the majority agrees that there are 4 distinct types of leaders: autocratic, democratic, laissez-faire, and human relations. Each one with on their own sets of pros and cons. So how do you know which one you fall under? By using the Myers-Briggs system and StrengthsFinder 2.0 it becomes fairly easy to pick out which leadership style you most belong to. After I personally utilized both of these assessments I’ve come to the conclusion that I would fall under the democratic leadership style. But what makes a democratic leader and how does it apply to me?
A democratic leader is a person who places high emphasis on people and performance. The philosophy of a democratic leader is one that I strongly agree and it is that most people are honest, dependable, and self-motivated. So how does this apply to me? I have had to help in the selection and interview process of new employees at my current job. I believe that if someone has the motivation from within a good leader can bring out the best in them and turn them in a great employee. This is done by delegating tasks, hands on and hands off teaching, and an emphasis on fixing a problem instead of punishing the person.
What are the characteristics and traits that make up a democratic leader as opposed to any other style? As a democratic leader tasks are delegated among the employee in regards to who can complete the task the best and also allow the employees to learn and grow. Decision-making falls, with a very slight majority, on the employees. This allows them to feel as if they have a say in what is going on and also encourages teamwork to reach a consensus decision. However, some decisions and most final decisions are up to the leader who takes the employees opinions into consideration. In this sense communication becomes very open and genuine. When employees feel that they are equal to the their superiors then are much more likely to level with them and be much more honest. This aspect is also key when it comes to resolving conflicts. If and when they do arise conflicts are met head-on. Many times the leader may just oversee and let the employees handle the problem, making sure that only the problem and not the people are being attacked. This helps to maintain a work environment that promotes growth and teamwork. A democratic leader will, from time-to-time, have to deal with a problem themselves. If the problem pertains to performance very rarely is punishment handed down. Rather, the leader would use evaluation or a discussion in order to show they employee where and how they should improve. This keeps employees accountable and upholds a close but objective relationship between employees and the leader.
So how would this apply to a professional kitchen? In a kitchen there are countless things throughout that must be done and done in a timely fashion in order for the kitchen to succeed. A democratic leader in the kitchen is one who would know how to delegate the great many tasks in the kitchen to those working in it. In this way those working in the kitchen would have a much better sense of working as a team rather than working against each other. This also reduces the need for formal rules and regulations since employees become self-motivated and work as a team. In a kitchen all cooks would be more inclined to do their best work and seek responsibility.
All in all, a democratic leader is the best in a kitchen is the best leader in a kitchen. A leader who is democratic can help employees become self-motivated and work as team. There is also a sense of community within everyone in the kitchen, leader included, and thus elevates productivity. This style is also helps employees to grow within the kitchen. Therefore, this leadership is what future culinary leaders should think about and aim for.
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