5 Business Leadership Lessons We Can Take Away from “The Bear”

If I had to choose a favorite place that I’ve lived, it would have to be Chicago. There’s nothing else like it. I’m so drawn to the culture, environment, people, and especially the restaurant scene. Living in Chicago definitely expanded my taste in food. One of my favorite restaurants was Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse. Every detail was perfect; from the atmosphere, to the food, the service, and the music. I always wondered what it is that makes a restaurant run so smoothly. And overall, what is it that makes a business run effortlessly?

When I decided to start watching “The Bear” this summer, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. “The Bear” is a fictional series that explores the behind-the-scenes of running a restaurant business. It opens your eyes to a world most people don’t get to see. It’s a drama, yet also a comedy. The show centers around a young chef named Carmy who must take over his family restaurant and follows how he goes about balancing this restaurant and his own well-being. While this show is purely meant for entertainment and engagement, it teaches its viewers very valuable lessons surrounding what makes a business successful. 

1. Apply “non-negotiables”

Everybody’s heard about the importance of establishing consistent habits in their day-to-day lives, and this also applies to business strategy. Carmy is trying to instill habits in his team, but he wants to create things that aren’t left behind. “Non-negotiables” was a list that Carmy created of various values that should be instilled in their work environment. Such as “No surprises,” “Respect tradition,” “Push boundaries,” “Constantly evolved through passion and creativity,” and “Confidence and competence”. What are the non-negotiables in your business and most importantly, your life? 

2. Learn from Mistakes

Towards the beginning of the show Carmy had to have a conversation with one of his employees about a mistake he made and the worker apologized by saying it would never happen again. But Carmy actually corrected him by saying that a mistake like that probably will happen again because no one ever achieves perfection or is without flaw. And because there will always be mistakes, it is about what we take away from those mistakes. We are constantly learning and applying our past experiences to the next. This was extremely encouraging coming from a leadership position. Carmy acknowledged the mistake but didn’t criticize his employee and instead gave him advice for the future.

3. Establish adaptability and resilience in a team

In any business, curveballs will come. Whatever the challenge level they may be, individuals must know how to approach those challenges. There must be a sense of adaptability and resilience that is unwavering. Even when things are going well, those qualities must stay consistent. And the team must truly work as a team. As soon as someone thinks they can do it all on their own, is when the whole team can come crashing down. In any scenario, a team must be able to persevere through their circumstances and have the mindset that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

4. Build an Enduring Culture and Investment in People

An iconic line that is constantly referenced from “The Bear” is “Yes, chef.”. Whenever anyone in the restaurant is responding to an instruction from the other (whether they are a cook, dishwasher, or server), they always respond “Yes, chef” as a sign of respect. Although this mannerism is specific to the restaurant industry, it is still a quality that should be carried on into other businesses. It shows that no matter what role you are in the business, you are still treated as an equal. Similar to how all Starbucks employees are called “Partners”.

5. Remember that Every Second Counts

Throughout the show, Carmy reflects on advice that one of his first head chefs told him, and it was even engraved on a sign at the top of a door in the kitchen. “Every Second Counts”. This definitely makes sense logistically because of how much restaurants depend on speed and getting food out quickly. But it has a deeper meaning to it. There is an emphasis on how important it is to not take any moment for granted. There is always something that can be worked towards. 

When a show has the ability to not only entertain, but also teach and inspire, you know it must be worth the watch. “The Bear” has gone on to have 3 seasons and has been renewed for a fourth. It has also gained multiple Emmy awards for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, and Jeremy Allen-White who portrayed the role of “Carmy” won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

If these lessons are truly applied, they may be some of the most essential in the modern workplace. Excellence matters and it starts with how we show up every day. No matter where your career may take you, there isn’t a doubt that applying these fundamentals will lead to the connection and success that so many business professionals strive for. 

How will you make every second count?

Works Cited

Chaney, Jen. ““The Bear”: All of Carmy’s Non-Negotiables, Ranked.” Vulture, 28 June 2024, www.vulture.com/article/the-bear-season-3-non-negotiables-list.html.

Jain, Harsh. “6 Management Lessons from the Show “the Bear.”” Numans, 2023, www.numanshq.com/blog/management-lessons-from-the-bear.

Krislov, Marvin. “What “the Bear” Teaches Us about Leadership and Teamwork.” Forbes, 4 Mar. 2024, www.forbes.com/sites/marvinkrislov/2024/03/04/what-the-bear-teaches-us-about-leadership-and-teamwork/.

Sepinwall, Alan. ““The Bear” Is the Most Stressful Thing on TV Right Now. It’s Also Great.” Rolling Stone, 7 July 2022, www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/the-bear-review-fx-1377878/.