Project Management Rolling Milestones
All I Needed to Know I Learned from Gordon Ramsay
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An unlikely hero
I’ve been watching a show on BBC America that chronicles Gordon Ramsay trying to help failing restaurants. If you don’t know who Gordon Ramsay is, he is a chef and restaurateur, and now television personality. He is currently one of only three chefs in the UK whose restaurant is rated at three Michelin stars. Most people would agree that he knows how to run a successful restaurant
Gordon has a real potty mouth, but between the bleeps he has some interesting things to say. On the show (called Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares) he comes in to help restaurant owners whose restaurant is failing. It is losing money and maybe even making people sick.
I’ve been interested in watching Gordon’s techniques that can be applied to project managers. After all, turning the restaurant around is a project. Often a big project. Here’s what I’ve learned:
Do whatever it takes
I’ve only watched the show about 12 times, but in that short period I’ve seen him: scrub several dirty kitchens, carry a chef that was fired but wouldn’t leave out of the building, try to be a marriage counselor, and single-handedly cook and serve about 50 people lunch. Sometimes the project manager has to get his hands dirty to help out a failing project.
Keep your eyes on the prize
Gordon is always trying to get people to do their jobs and to do them better. Yes, he gets angry and swears at them (tactics that make for better tv than they do in the business world) but he always keeps the goal in mind. He’s trying to get the restaurant to serve great food, have excellent service, and still make money. He’s not trying to make people mad at him, but if that’s what it takes to turn it around, so be it. We must never lose sight of why we’re doing the project to begin with.
Tell the truth, even if it’s unpopular
He doesn’t always do it in the most tactful manner, but he always telling the truth as he sees it. He often has a short time frame (“we’ll be out of money in one month”) which sometimes doesn’t leave a lot of time for tact. Often it’s up to the project manager to tell the truth that no one wants to hear. Do it as tactfully and as quickly as you can, but do it.
Apologize when you blow it
Gordon Ramsay has an awful temper. This, of course, makes for good tv. But I have seen him apologize. Maybe when your temper is bad you get more used to apologizing. However, people do like working for him; he claims an 85% retention rate since 1993 in his restaurants. Everyone blows it from time to time; confess and ask forgiveness. And none of this “I’m sorry if you were offended” stuff. Make it “I’m sorry I blew it. Will you forgive me?
People believe they know best
There have only been about two programs that the restaurateurs actually did what Gordon said. Those two turned their business around. It worked. But the majority don’t listen (and by listen I mean act on) to what he says. I want to yell at the screen “This is Gordon Ramsay you’re ignoring! He knows what he’s talking about. Listen.” However, this does no good and as a project manager, we have to know that sometimes our stakeholders won’t listen and will insist on their own way. Go into a closet, take a deep breath, and yell some Gordon Ramsay words. Then come out and document that
they refused to follow your advice.
Yes, I know it’s just a tv show
I understand that at least (or a lot) of what I’m seeing is done for dramatic effect. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t be reminded of some principles that make for good Project Managers while I enjoy the show.
Take the good away from whatever life gives you,
Beth
Congratulations!
At this spot, I like to take a moment to congratulate our students who have finished their NBDC Project Management Certificate. This month I’d like to congratulate Chris Beyer from our friends down the street, Paypal. Chris works in the challenging environment of a Project Management Office. He keeps lots of plates spinning while staying a calm, mild mannered guy. Congratulations, Chris, on achieving this milestone!
About Us
NBDC is a self-supporting entity of the University of Nebraska Omaha's College of Business. We work along side businesses: instructing and mentoring in project management, leadership, and technology to help make each business more productive. People, Process, Tools.
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 Project Management Rolling Milestones e-newsletter is written by Beth Giesbrecht , NBDC project management expert and presenter. Beth welcomes your comments and suggestions. Email her or call the NBDC Business office at 402.595.2900.
Archive
2008
4. All I Needed to Know
3. Don't Avoid the Hard Stuff
2. All You Need is Love
1. Sweat Equity
2007
12. Fiasco, Part Three
11. Fiasco, Part Two
10. Fiasco, Part One
9. Belbin's Research
8. Watch Your Words
7. Is There a Need to Know?
6. Technical Leadership
5. Lessons Learned
4. Risky Business
3. Keep the Main
2.Visual Thinking
1.Building Project Teams
2006
12.Well Project-Managed Frog
11.Responsibilty but No Authority
10.Over Communication
09.Don't Think Buy-In
08.Pushing the Snowball
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