How to Influence Culture from a Lower Status
Peter worked as a bus boy at a restaurant. Yet, his speciality sandwich made it on the menu.
How could such a thing occur? What would possess the owners and managers to allow a “low level” employee such creative control over their great-parents locally famous establishment?
Several conditions were necessary for such change:
The managers had the generosity to assume employees would create their own food during their shifts. There was no penalty for the amount of foods they could consume, try, or bring home.
Such an assumption meant the managers budgeted enough expendable resources/income for all workers. This was simply part of the work culture. So, the owners had the margin for expendables (i.e. extra bread, toppings, condiments, and other fixings).
Given such allowances, the employees felt the freedom to attempt any and all creative ideas for their own food creations. Under this cultural context, Peter not only felt the freedom, but encouragement to try, fail, and try again at culinary innovations.
After multiple attempts, Peter crafted an entirely new speciality sandwich. The other employees tried it. And eventually, management tasted this proof of concept.
Their experience led them to ask Peter to make several iterations until finally, they included it on the menu.
If you’re a leader, create such conditions for others. If you’re the “others,” take advantage where you have creative liberties to generate new expressions of love and care for others.
