8 Leadership Lessons from BBQ Pit Masters

I love to barbecue, grill, and smoke meat, and I like to watch the BBQ Pit Masters show on Destination America. It has less to do with the drama of the personalities themselves and more to do on actual techniques, types of meats, profiles, and what makes for a winner in each segment. At the end of each show, it’s all about bragging rights and who gets to advance towards the Kingsford invitational to be crowned as this year’s grand Champion.

Similarly, I desire the bragging rights, but not through competition with other pit masters. Unlike the pro’s on the show, I do not own a restaurant or compete for cash prizes. I compete with myself to grow a personal following of my brand of barbecue – traditional American BBQ infused with Polish flavors and techniques. For me, it’s about serving up great Polish food using an American platform to do so. In the process, I discovered that there are several leadership lessons that can be learned from the culinary art of barbecue. Here are eight that are worth mentioning:

1. BBQ: Any cut of meat has the potential of being a winning entry.
   Leadership Lesson: The traits comprising the raw materials of leadership can be acquired. Link them up with desire and nothing can keep you from becoming a leader.
2. BBQ: Great barbecue is a process. It takes a combination of practiced skill, knowledge, time, character and integrity to create great barbecue.
   Leadership Lesson: Leadership is a process. It too takes a combination of practiced skill, knowledge, time, character and integrity to be an effective leader.
3. BBQ: If you don’t have someone to serve your barbecue to, you’re just cooking meat. Leadership Lesson: It’s been said that as a leader, if you don’t have followers, you’re just taking a walk. 
4. BBQ: Different meats require different flavor profiles, cooking temperatures, woods for the pit, and serving options.
   Leadership Lesson: Different people and situations require different leadership profiles, working environments, opportunities, and resources. 
5. BBQ: A winning pit master needs to remain flexible and agile to deliver great results. Simple things like temperature, weather, and tools can make the difference between good barbecue and great barbecue.
   Leadership Lesson: A successful leader needs to remain flexible and agile to deliver great results. Simple things like developing others, performing as a servant leader, and leading ethically can make the difference between a good leader and a great leader. 
6. BBQ: Winning pit masters are constantly growing and developing to be better tomorrow than they were today. They evolve and constantly learn. They are passionate about barbecue.
   Leadership Lesson: Successful leaders are constantly growing and developing to be better tomorrow than they were today. They evolve and constantly grow. They are passionate about leading well. 
7. BBQ: If you continue to serve poor tasting barbecue, your customers or audience will find another pit master.
   Leadership Lesson: If you continue to lead poorly, people will find another leader. 
8. BBQ: There is no such thing as a self-made Pit Master. Every Pit Master has had help along the way to success. Great Pit Masters surround themselves with those that continue to challenge them to be better. Every great barbecue served requires a team to execute. Leadership Lesson: There is no such thing as a self-made leader. Every good to great leader has had help along the way. Every successful leader requires a team to execute to obtain the desired results.

Question: How do you lead with great barbecue?

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I'd like to know what you think. feel free to let me know in the comments section below.