Welcome to A Student of Leadership MICRO podcast, powered by UniPro Foodservice and our Leadership Development Program.
I'm Robert Adams, your host and guide on this journey into the habits, routines, and behaviors that define exceptional leadership.
Whether you're stepping into your first food industry leadership role or refining your craft as a seasoned senior leader, this MICRO podcast is designed for you. Leadership is not a destination. It's a practice, a daily commitment to growth, learning, and service to those you lead.
Over 30+ years of food industry leadership experience, I've led teams through transformation, crisis, growth, and change. I've managed multi-unit operations, built leadership pipelines, coached hundreds of managers, and made plenty of mistakes along the way. Those mistakes taught me something invaluable: the best leaders never stop being students. They stay curious, humble, and hungry to grow.
Leadership is continually evolving, challenging yourself, and adopting small, deliberate actions that inspire trust, loyalty, and extraordinary results. It's about showing up with intention every day, even when you're tired, even when the challenges feel overwhelming.
The food industry presents unique leadership challenges. Fast-paced environments, tight margins, diverse teams, demanding customers, and constant pressure to perform. Labor shortages, turnover, supply chain disruptions, these aren't just buzzwords. They're our daily reality.
This is an industry where leadership isn't theoretical; it's tested every single day on the floor, in the kitchen, at the table, and in the boardroom. Your team watches how you handle stress, how you treat people when things go wrong, how you celebrate wins, and how you respond when someone needs help. This is where real leadership is forged.
My passion for leadership development has led me to behavioral science and evidence-based approaches to leadership. Leadership excellence isn't built on charisma or natural talent alone, it's built on intentional behaviors that anyone can learn, practice, and master.
Small shifts in how we communicate, recognize effort, handle conflict, build accountability, and show up for our teams create massive, lasting impact. These aren't complicated strategies requiring expensive consultants. They're practical, proven behaviors you can implement immediately.
In each episode, we'll break down one specific leadership behavior, habit, or mindset. These aren't hour-long lectures, they're focused, actionable micro-lessons you can absorb during your commute, before a shift, or over morning coffee. Leadership development shouldn't feel like another overwhelming task.
This podcast is for the district manager juggling multiple locations, the restaurant GM navigating staffing challenges, the corporate leader driving culture change, the emerging supervisor finding their voice, and every food service professional committed to leading with intention and impact.
I'm not here pretending to have all the answers. I'm here as a fellow student, someone who believes the moment we stop learning is the moment we stop leading effectively. Together, we'll explore what works, what doesn't, and how we can all get better at this challenging, rewarding work of leadership.
Join us on this journey. If you find value, share it with five other people who could benefit. Leadership grows when we invest in each other.
A Student of Leadership - Real Leaders. Real Growth. One Table.
Welcome to A Student of Leadership MICRO podcast, powered by UniPro Foodservice and our Leadership Development Program.
I'm Robert Adams, your host and guide on this journey into the habits, routines, and behaviors that define exceptional leadership.
Whether you're stepping into your first food industry leadership role or refining your craft as a seasoned senior leader, this MICRO podcast is designed for you. Leadership is not a destination. It's a practice, a daily commitment to growth, learning, and service to those you lead.
Over 30+ years of food industry leadership experience, I've led teams through transformation, crisis, growth, and change. I've managed multi-unit operations, built leadership pipelines, coached hundreds of managers, and made plenty of mistakes along the way. Those mistakes taught me something invaluable: the best leaders never stop being students. They stay curious, humble, and hungry to grow.
Leadership is continually evolving, challenging yourself, and adopting small, deliberate actions that inspire trust, loyalty, and extraordinary results. It's about showing up with intention every day, even when you're tired, even when the challenges feel overwhelming.
The food industry presents unique leadership challenges. Fast-paced environments, tight margins, diverse teams, demanding customers, and constant pressure to perform. Labor shortages, turnover, supply chain disruptions, these aren't just buzzwords. They're our daily reality.
This is an industry where leadership isn't theoretical; it's tested every single day on the floor, in the kitchen, at the table, and in the boardroom. Your team watches how you handle stress, how you treat people when things go wrong, how you celebrate wins, and how you respond when someone needs help. This is where real leadership is forged.
My passion for leadership development has led me to behavioral science and evidence-based approaches to leadership. Leadership excellence isn't built on charisma or natural talent alone, it's built on intentional behaviors that anyone can learn, practice, and master.
Small shifts in how we communicate, recognize effort, handle conflict, build accountability, and show up for our teams create massive, lasting impact. These aren't complicated strategies requiring expensive consultants. They're practical, proven behaviors you can implement immediately.
In each episode, we'll break down one specific leadership behavior, habit, or mindset. These aren't hour-long lectures, they're focused, actionable micro-lessons you can absorb during your commute, before a shift, or over morning coffee. Leadership development shouldn't feel like another overwhelming task.
This podcast is for the district manager juggling multiple locations, the restaurant GM navigating staffing challenges, the corporate leader driving culture change, the emerging supervisor finding their voice, and every food service professional committed to leading with intention and impact.
I'm not here pretending to have all the answers. I'm here as a fellow student, someone who believes the moment we stop learning is the moment we stop leading effectively. Together, we'll explore what works, what doesn't, and how we can all get better at this challenging, rewarding work of leadership.
Join us on this journey. If you find value, share it with five other people who could benefit. Leadership grows when we invest in each other.
A Student of Leadership - Real Leaders. Real Growth. One Table.
In this episode, Robert Adams discusses the importance of fostering a feedback culture within teams. He emphasizes that feedback should be viewed as a tool for growth rather than a source of fear. Through the example of Jessica Alba's leadership during a crisis, he illustrates how transparency and open communication can rebuild trust and encourage honest feedback. The conversation encourages leaders to reflect on their communication style and to deliver feedback in a constructive manner that empowers team members.
Takeaways
Feedback culture is essential for team growth.
Transparency in leadership fosters trust and openness.
Feedback should be seen as a gift, not a judgment.
Real leaders create an environment where feedback is welcomed.
The mindset shift from past to future in feedback is crucial.
Honest feedback can change the dynamics of a team.
Leaders should encourage clarity and specificity in feedback.
One meaningful conversation can significantly impact someone's week.
Leadership is a continuous practice, not a one-time lesson.
Building a community around leadership enhances learning and connection.
Titles
Transforming Feedback into Fuel for Growth
The Art of Honest Feedback in Leadership
Sound bites
"Real leaders, real growth, one table."
"Feedback isn't a weapon. It's a leadership tool."
"Leadership is not a solo act. It's a shared table."
Chapters
00:00 Creating a Feedback Culture
01:56 The Power of Transparency in Leadership
03:24 Transforming Feedback into Growth