When it comes to integrating new ideas into an event or program, I believe “more cooks” is a better approach than being apprehensive about having “too many cooks”.

Sure, Carmy and Sydney grappled with the challenges of bringing in new ideas and talent to an established kitchen on, “The Bear”. But maybe their differences of opinion are more specifically about leadership personalities than they are about ideas and creative solutions.

Instead of ideas from “too many cooks” causing tensions or inefficiencies when producing an event or implementing a program, they more likely arise or occur due to conflicts over the hierarchy of leadership.

As an event host, producer and entertainer, I’m not often hired early enough, or far enough “upstream”, to even be able to participate in any advance prep for an event or program. When I am, however, I’m always able to contribute significantly to the outcome without there being any confusion about leadership roles. My experience has been that effective leaders welcome “more cooks” and see their benefit in bringing a vision to life and adjusting it as it evolves.

One example from my event work was working with Sunwing Vacations on an activation to engage people with trivia to give away vacation destination prizes. The brand director, Patrick Boydell reached out early in the creative process to get my input. As a result, I was able to support his leadership and his team in developing and implementing a comprehensive program, as well as enable us to respond quickly to challenges and changes.

My experience with interactive events, especially trivia, meant that I had “leading” ideas and strategies to “cook up” with the team early and throughout the planning and performance of the activation. They were embraced without any confusion about the hierarchy of leadership.

Was the trivia fun on the streets of Toronto and the Jamaican beach resort destination even more of a success?

Yes, Chef.