A short spoken piece by Donald Burns directed at restaurant owners and managers arguing that effective leadership combines strength (confidence, self-knowledge, willingness to act) with vulnerability (honesty with self and team). Burns counters the common misconception that leaders must be stern, "alpha" figures and briefly explains both terms.
Most restaurant owners and managers get this paradox completely confused. They think that the way to be a leader is to be tough and be really stern. Think of, like, Hell's Kitchen. They think that being the leader means being the alpha male or the alpha female in the room. Being outstanding leader means being strong and being vulnerable at the same time. Being strong means you're confident. Being strong means that you know your strengths and you also know your weaknesses. Being strong means that you're willing to put yourself out there and really be vulnerable to your team. And being vulnerable means that you're honest with yourself and others.
If your restaurant only works because you work 80 hours a week, it doesn't work.
