Figure It Out. Make It Happen.

Why great leadership means defining expectations, not prescribing steps

Years ago, early in my career, just starting a family, money was tight. Papa John’s had a carry out special for a large pizza for $5.99. I used to pick up pizzas regularly for the family. Every time I went, I noticed a poster hanging above the pizza work station. No words, just pictures. It was so simple that someone could probably make the pizza with little to no training.

At the time, I remember telling this story to a chef I worked with. We were struggling with consistency, and I was convinced that spec sheets and explaining things so simply a five year old could understand them were the only way forward.

I wasn’t ready for his answer. He disagreed completely. Yes, he saw where spec sheets could be helpful, but he didn’t think his team of culinarians would appreciate having things "dumbed down." To him, it took the joy and the ownership out of cooking.

That conversation stuck with me for years.

We all approach projects differently. Some people prefer sheet music, instructions, or a recipe. Others just want to know the end goal and feel trusted to figure it out. That’s a difference in structure and insistence, and very often, the way we show up isn’t the same as what we need.

I’m naturally detail oriented and insistent that others be the same. But that exchange with the chef reminded me that I was focused on what I needed to ensure consistency instead of simply communicating the expectation and letting him solve it his own way. I was prescribing the solution, not defining the goal.

I can’t tell you how grateful I am that he pushed back.

As leaders, our job is to set expectations, provide support, and then let others FIO and MIH.

In case you didn’t figure it out… that means:
Figure It Out and Make It Happen.