Leadership lessons from a dinner disaster

While handwashing my favorite grill pan, I pondered last night’s cuisine conundrum. As leaders, we often have the best intentions, but things can sometimes go horribly wrong. How do we fix what breaks and what should we learn?

Best Intention - To improve my health, I started tracking my meals using a calorie counter. Yesterday, I logged breakfast, lunch, and snacks. To stay within my calorie goal, I chose a light, nutrient-dense dinner: salmon and kale.

My Favorite Pan  – I love grilled food because it engages all my senses: the smell, sight, sound, feel, and taste. Since outdoor grilling isn't always practical, my nonstick grill pan does the trick and fulfills my cravings.

A New Technique –  Normally, I brown the fish on one side, then flip it to finish cooking. This method isn't always effective; the salmon sometimes falls apart or overcooks. Placing it in the oven for a few minutes usually works, but I was short on time. To expedite, I used a dome-shaped lid from another pan to create oven-like conditions.

Dinner Denied – I warmed my kale and tried to plate the fish, but the lid wouldn't budge. The sizzle warned me that the optimal cooking time was turning into overtime. Despite my efforts, the pan was too hot, and the lid was sealed under the screw covers. No salmon tonight!

Now what? – Panic rose, but I calmed myself and thought, “What else can you eat?” I warmed some meatballs from the fridge and had dinner. Afterward, I used all my knowledge to figure out how to rescue the salmon, the lid, and my favorite grill pan. Though not a scientist, I tried to think like one. This is where the leadership lessons began.

Heat – Finding a solution was difficult when the pan and stove were hot. The heat permeated through the towels I used, making it overwhelming as I tried to avoid getting burned. I transferred the pan to the sink, flipped it over, and ran cold water to cool it down. After running water for a while, I flipped the pan back and pulled again, but it didn't work. I needed to create conditions to isolate the elements and examine the problem more effectively.

Temperature and time – With the pan cooled, I put it in the freezer overnight, hoping the contraction would help. This allowed me to focus on other priorities and get a good night's sleep. Sometimes, solutions appear when we pause and focus elsewhere. It's important to take care of ourselves to renew our thinking and allow new perspectives to emerge.

Slip – I woke up refreshed and ready to try again. I retrieved the pan from the freezer, and pulled again with kitchen gloves and a towel. A jolt of movement happened, but the lid was still stuck under the screw coverings. I thought, “What would make this easier? Oil?” I applied cooking oil to the screw coverings and the lid and pulled again. As a leader, it’s important not to panic and stay alert. Assess and reassess what might be a partial solution and ask, “What needs to be added, subtracted or improved?” Trial and error is how humans have invented and innovated for several millenia. That’s not likely to change.

Space – Still, nothing happened. But there was space that wasn't there when things were hot. I knew I could work with that space. When seeking solutions, always make room for emergence. Sometimes, the tiniest spaces allow seeds of change to nestle and germinate. Leaders must be on the lookout for seeds of change within the organization and the outward environment. Sudden changes can be traced to small happenings over time. Find the spaces, observe small movements, and imagine the possibilities.

Leverage – This one is my favorite! With a bit of space to work with, I needed a better grip. I switched to work gloves and moved the pan to a larger counter. Despite my efforts, success was delayed. I then put the pan on the floor, placed my foot on the left handle, and pulled the lid to the right. SUCCESS! I freed the salmon, the lid, and my favorite grill pan! A sense of confidence came over me as I realized I had everything I needed to find a solution.

I might have succeeded sooner with the help of other thinkers, but I learned that leadership is about how we approach challenges. My goal was anchored to something I loved, which might not have had the same significance as others. Leaders often see their organizations differently and must convey their vision to inspire a shared purpose and collaboration. Leadership requires imagination, knowledge, ingenuity, and perseverance to ensure organizational achievement and future relevance.

Tonight, I will warm the now frozen salmon in my steamer and hope that this technique will yield a flavorful and calorie-conscious dinner to accompany my sense of accomplishment.

Bon appétit!

Images Credit:

Green Pan, photo taken by Zabrina W. Epps

© Zabrina Epps, 2025