What is your favorite flavor in the world? What is that one flavor you simply detest?
We taste flavors through receptor cells, which are primarily on the surface of our tongues. Science tells us that all the flavors we can taste are combinations of five primary taste sensations. No matter what, our favorite tastes come from salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and umami. Everything we experience through our sense of taste depends on how those flavors fit together.
There are flavors that we anticipate, about which we are passionate. Other flavors leave us unmoved, or fill us with disgust. Each of us has our own favorite, and our own least favorite. We often do not respond well when someone serves us flavors we do not like.
While I do not want to be labeled a leadership snob, I think leadership works the same way. Each of us has our own favorite leadership flavors, and those we dislike.
The leaders who inspire me serve leadership that appeals to my palate. Some leaders are too sweet for my taste, or too sour. Some leaders need to be less salty, or add a little more bitterness. Some leaders need to add more flavor and be less bland.
We can become more appealing leadership chefs. Rather than sticking with our favorite dishes and the same flavors, we can try new recipes. We can expand our leadership repertoires.
How would you like to experiment with a new leadership dish this week? Who are the people to whom you would like your leadership to appeal? Are they looking for a little more umami, or a little less bitterness?
Does your leadership ever leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth?
What is your favorite leadership flavor?
What new flavor of leadership are you serving today?
[Image by greggoconnell]
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In