From adversity to possibility
"You will [make mistakes]. But not because you're you, but because sh*t happens"
Carmy, The Bear
Sometimes our greatest 'a-ha moments' don't come with fanfare or fireworks… An epiphany or idea we've never landed on before.
Sometimes they're a moment of quiet realisation, when something we've heard time and time again really lands.
Maybe it's about being in the right place at the right time. Being open and ready to find new meaning. Or perhaps it's about the support of a trusted friend, colleague or mentor, helping you make sense of a tough experience.
It's often a combination of all of these things, and that's why we're loving this simple but profound scene from The Bear.
Marcus, navigating a new role as a pastry chef, has had a day.
He's not only fallen behind on his prep and workflow in this intense Chicago kitchen - he's also blown the fuse.
Head chef Carmy finds him outside, sitting alone, and decides to use the moment to connect. Not chef to chef, but human to human.
We love this moment, because it's a great lesson in acceptance and agency. Because like Marcus, we're all gonna make mistakes, no matter how experienced we are in our roles.
We're imperfect, and the conditions are always changing. Making mistakes is part and parcel of being human, and as uncomfortable and challenging as it is, it's often these stuff-ups that teach us the most… If we're open to learning from the experience.
It's not what happens to us in life that matters most, it's how we respond. Because when we can own our mistakes, embrace them with acceptance and humility (and maybe even a little bit of humour), we can then step into our sense of agency.
We can choose to 'put out the fire,' and move forwards. From adversity to possibility.
The other beautiful thing about this scene is its exploration of horizontal relationships. And what we love to call 'I to We' leadership.
Carmy levels the playing field by being vulnerable and honest. He shares his own mistake, almost burning down the kitchen the night after he won Food and Wine's 'Best New Chef,' which cuts through the vertical relationship structure that normally dominates the kitchen.
Relating on more of a horizontal level, Carmy gives Marcus permission to be imperfect, and to pick himself back up and try again. Note how his body language also reflects this moment of compassion. He crouches down to meet Marcus where he's at, human-being to human-being.
It's a beautiful reminder that being a great leader isn't about having all the answers, or setting a 'perfect' example. It's about creating an environment for others to realise their potential, knowing there will be plenty of trial and error in the process.
Carmy is on his own journey to become a better leader throughout the whole series of The Bear (and certainly hits a lot of speed bumps along the way), but this is one of those powerful moments that shows him finding a whole new perspective on leadership. A sense of 'I to We' that holds space for the human-being, not just the human-doing.
No matter what role we play within a team or partnership, we could all use a little more of that philosophy.
So, remember: you're gonna make mistakes. "Not cos you're you, but because sh*t happens."
But you also get to learn and grow through the experience, and maybe even help someone else to do the same.
Let's party.
Ready for more?
Re-frame leadership as a mindset, find your purpose and establish your values with our new Becoming a Leader program. Here, we'll help you discover who you are as a leader and apply practical tools to help others realise their potential👇
Join the Mojo community
