What makes some chefs natural leaders while others struggle to build cohesive teams? Adam Lamb, owner-operator of Chef Life Media LLC, embarked on a journey to answer this question after recognizing a critical gap in culinary education. As he shares with host Skip Mauneyon the Good Neighbor Podcast, culinary schools teach everything about food but nothing about leading people—leaving many chefs unprepared when they're handed the keys and told to manage a team.
Drawing from his own failures and successes since 2006, Lamb now coaches chefs to develop what he calls "presence over position"—the ability to lead through a grounded, calm demeanor rather than authority or volume. His approach challenges the stereotype of the volatile, mercurial chef, arguing that enabling bad behavior simply drives away top talent. Through his 12-week leadership bootcamp, Lamb teaches chefs self-leadership practices like beginning and ending each day with gratitude, helping them move beyond the common feeling of being undervalued in the industry.
The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Lamb reflects on Hurricane Helene's impact on his North Carolina community. Witnessing neighbors helping neighbors without being asked reinforced his core philosophy: "We before me." This principle extends beyond restaurant kitchens into how we show up for our communities every day. As Lamb puts it, "You don't have to ask for permission to do something good for your community"—a lesson in leadership that resonates whether you're running a kitchen or simply being a good neighbor. Chefs interested in Lamb's coaching can reach him at [email protected] or through his podcast, Chef Life Radio.