Read on Twitter
Seeing a lot of stories about the fine line between discipline and abuse in the workplace, and specifically kitchens. Some of these stories relying on the narrative of military comparison and “drill instructor like bosses”
While I appreciate immensely and support this moment of attempting to keep stories at the forefront that may lead to change, this pair of ridiculous myths has to go, too.
The line between discipline and abuse is wide and apparent. Mistakes are everyone’s territory, especially my own. But repeated harmful actions are and are a choice. They are an example of a lack of discipline, by those in leadership positions.
Actually, the line between disciple and abuse is non existent. Those things are not on the same continuum. Therefore there is no divide between them, and there is no path from one to the other. They are separate things, entirely.
Organizational discipline is the result of clear communication of purpose, good training, generous mentoring, and consistent coaching. All of these things are subject to error and mistakes.
Yelling, constant frustration, violent threats or action, favoritism, name calling, bullying, are not examples of perfectionism or high pressure coaching. They are a lack of leadership; and probably represent a combination of lack of vision, lack of experience, and lack of skill.
If your chef yells at you everyday, they are probably bad at their job. Really. Maybe they can string together a series of savory ingredients that taste good.
So can a lot of people on TV. Ask them about the profit and loss statement. Ask them to explain their company’s mission or purpose.
If your chef is yelling, you aren’t learning. Honest...you can’t be, because they don’t have much to teach you. If you need a foot in the door to learn the basics, pay attention and learn them, then leave if you can.
Chefs are not drill instructors. Drill instructors prepare people for war. Restaurant service is not a battle.
If your chef has never prepared anyone for war but quotes Full Metal Jacket at work, run.
If you write about chefs please stop fueling the military example. We are not at war. But too many go to work thinking they are.
And there is no fine line between discipline, passion, genius, art, or whatever else you can think of and abuse. Every single one of those examples exists separately from abusive behavior. Yes, you can be an artist, and abusive. Just like you can be anything plus something else.
But the one is not the excuse for the other.
Anyway, thanks for watching me learn to thread a tweet. It’s a lot of work! But I thought this needed to be said. I’ll work out some other ways to continue to share this idea.
