If you could be unreasonable about something in your business or in your career, what would it be and why?
Now, when I say unreasonable, I’m not talking about an unwillingness to cooperate. I’m talking about unreasonable excellence, the area in your business for which you go above and beyond the call of duty. The special something that really sets you apart.
The reason I'm asking this question is because whilst in New York recently, I had the pleasure of experiencing the renowned Eleven Madison Park, a restaurant with many accolades and the reputation for unreasonably outstanding hospitality.
From the spectacular plant-based menu, the intentional connection from each member of staff, to the dedication to ensure each guest had a special experience, it was apparent why Eleven Madison Park has become legendary.
And it got me thinking - how can we follow their lead and show up in an equally extraordinary way in our own businesses?
Today, we’re talking about recognising what sets us apart in business, and making the choice to show up in an unreasonably excellent way that’s unique to each of us. We’ll also explore the power of connection, and how being intentional with it can create a ripple effect that transforms lives.
So, ask yourself: what changes might you need to make to really show up in your business in a spectacular way? Chances are you’re already sitting on the answer - it’s all about following through and embracing the authority you have to let your gift shine.
Now, Eleven Madison Park has won so many awards, so many accolades for the food, for the experience, for the service. So I was really looking forward to experiencing this restaurant myself. And from the moment we walked in, I knew it was going to be a little bit different. From the welcome as we came through.
the fact that there wasn't a [:
the curious questioning, the deep listening and the intentionality to ensure that every single experience was going to be experienced in the way. That they wanted you to experience it. We had James, [00:02:00] the restaurant manager approaching us and standing at our table and as he's, as he's telling us about the history of the restaurant, the impact of all of these incredible awards for the restaurant, people around him without us even noticing are taking the plates, and they're really, you know, watching for the signs of what He wanted to happen next for us.
He asked us lots of questions about home, about why we were there, about the work that we were doing. And then Sam, the sommelier was telling us the stories behind the stories, behind the stories of the wine and shared with his, with us, his excitement at winning sommelier of the year.
nogue. I mean, who wouldn't? [:
She's iconic. Of course, I'd love to meet Kylie Minogue. The whole experience was like sitting, At someone's home dining table, having this exceptional, beautiful, stunning food, not paid guests in a restaurant, being served what was expected. The whole experience was incredible. And then just before dessert arrived, Emma approached the table and said, ladies, please follow us.
And she took us into the kitchen and in the kitchen, we had the opportunity to meet. The head chef who proceeded to tell us all about the food that we'd been eating, how it had all been prepared. He showed us around the stations. He introduced us to the sous chefs. He was even happy, maybe, uh, comfortable with us taking photos and shooting video.
picture this, the, the wine [:
I'm spinning around, move out of my way. Yep. Kylie Minogue was playing. We carried on through this wine cellar and we turned the corner and of course we hoped it was Kylie Minogue, but it wasn't. Apparently she wasn't around. She wasn't close enough to be able to get in. But what was there were Kylie Minogue's favorite cocktail from Eleven Madison Park.
question [:
We have just experienced an 11 Madison Park legendary moment. This restaurant is renowned for these moments. There are stories of people sat at the dinner table, going, Oh my gosh, we're going home tomorrow and we haven't yet tasted a New York hot dog. And suddenly From nowhere, the staff, the chef have gone out of the restaurant, they've gone to the local, the best hot dog stall, uh, street stall and they've grabbed the hot dog and they've brought it back and they're being served a New York hot dog.
irst time and the restaurant [:
And it's these legendary moments that Eleven Madison Park have become famous for, because Eleven Madison Park are unreasonable about service. It's. Now, for me, this got me thinking, this whole experience for me, really got me thinking and actually reiterated for me the importance of connection. Because these moments, these moments that are memorable, these moments That become stories like I'm sharing now can only happen when you intentionally connect, when you are [00:07:00] curious about how you can help someone else.
And when you are not just interesting, but actually you are interested in the person that you are chatting to. And for me, in my work, this is why I'm so passionate about the power of connection because when we connect in this way. When we don't connect in this way, by the way, it's transactional connecting.
It's a transfer of information. It's very shallow. It's very superficial, but this connection is transformational connection. This is the power of building networks around you where remarkable things can happen. This is where it's that transfer of humanity, where you have the power to create impact on the people to the left and right of you, up and below you, and that ripple effect happens.
vening. Are Kylie Minogue it [:
So my question to you is when you think about your business, When you think about your career, if there were one thing, if there was one thing that you want to become known for, that you are unreasonable about, what is that thing? For us in our business, it is connection. We're unreasonable. Um, and we're going to talk a little bit about connection.
to our world. We are curious [:
So that it will be remembered. It's also why in my business, it's not about, working with thousands and thousands and thousands of people. But it is about working with a group of smart people where we can get to know them, where we can intentionally connect, where we can work closely to develop the right strategies that work for their business to achieve their goals.
le about? Is it, like Eleven [:
About your response? times about your product, about how you deliver that product, about events that you put on, about whatever it is. What do you want to be known for? And what are you going to be unreasonable about? I think that this thing gives you a competitive advantage. It becomes the thing that you get known for and it becomes that point of difference between what you do and how you operate versus everybody else in your industry.
some time this week to think [:
What changes might you need to make in your business or how you're showing up at work? Hope you've enjoyed this episode, have a great week, and I look forward to connecting next week.
