You Can’t Be the Chef in Three Kitchens

Leadership isn’t about doing it all—it’s about empowering others to shine in their own kitchens.

Picture this: A head chef racing frantically from one kitchen to another. He’s stirring pots, flipping pans, tossing spices into bubbling sauces. He’s sweating, barking orders, and wielding his spatula like it’s a magic wand. But something’s off—because at the end of the day, nothing he touches turns out right. Every dish is undercooked, over-seasoned, or just plain burned.

Sound familiar? Maybe you’ve worked with someone like this. Maybe you’ve been this person. I once observed a man who ran his department like he was that chef, jumping between three kitchens, trying to do everyone’s job, and leaving chaos in his wake.

Gaurav Ranjitkar

The Man Who Tried to Do It All

He was officially the head of operations, but unofficially, he seemed to think he was head of everything. He took over customer service calls, dabbled in HR, micromanaged the inventory team, and hijacked every project. His plate was overflowing, but instead of pausing to re-evaluate, he just kept piling more on top. The result? Nothing was ever done well.

Instead of leading his team, he was running from kitchen to kitchen, stirring every pot but never letting any dish simmer long enough to be properly cooked. And the worst part? He was completely blind to the mess he was creating.

What Happens When You Stir Too Many Pots

This is what happens when leaders can’t delegate. They spread themselves so thin that they’re constantly busy but never truly productive. They don’t develop their teams because they don’t trust them to handle things on their own. And eventually, they burn out—or burn everything around them.

In this case, the man’s lack of focus and inability to let go stifled the entire department. Projects dragged on without clear direction. Team members felt underutilized and demotivated. And the chaos only grew as he tried to control everything himself.

The Missing Ingredient: Delegation

Being a leader isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things. It’s about knowing when to step in and when to step back. And that takes something called emotional intelligence: the ability to recognize your own limits, trust others, and create space for your team to thrive.

Delegation isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength. It shows that you’re confident enough to let go of control and empower others to take the lead. When done right, delegation allows you to focus deeply on the things that matter most—whether that’s strategic planning, mentoring your team, or finally perfecting that one signature dish.

Are You Cooking in Too Many Kitchens?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it might be time to ask yourself:

• Am I trying to do too much?

• Do I trust my team to handle their responsibilities?

• Am I focusing on my core role, or am I spreading myself too thin?

  
  

Remember, you can’t be the chef in three kitchens. You’ll just end up with a lot of half-baked dishes and a team that’s left wondering what’s going on.

Cook One Dish Well

True leadership isn’t about how many pots you stir. It’s about how well you cook the dish that’s yours. Focus on that and watch how everything else starts to come together.

So, which kitchen will you choose today? 🌟

With all my heart,

Salima