A stint in prison may seem an unlikely starting point for a successful career, but that's how it all began for Chef Jeff Henderson, who went on to become an award-winning chef, Food Network host, and best-selling author. Here, he shares his take on personal and professional transformation for people in all walks of life.
The low point in my life occurred when the Terminal Island penitentiary doors slammed shut behind me. At 24, I was prisoner #16138-198 out of an estimated 2 million men and women incarcerated each year on federal drug trafficking charges—the result of many years of making the wrong decisions.
From those hard-knock life lessons as a convicted felon, I found my redemptive journey through my passion for food. I realized with determination, adaptability, self-knowledge, and hustle, I could transform that early-life struggle into a thriving, "from the streets to the stove" culinary and business career, which I hope inspires others to overcome adversity to achieve their personal and professional goals.
Recognizing Your 'Aha' Moment
Prison saved my life. It was where I discovered a series of "aha" moments that turned my life around. I started by seeking knowledge: I turned federal prison into "federal university." I read about African kings and queens who were cultured, global thinkers—not criminals—and I began to believe there were other options out there.
Each successive "aha" moment became a guidepost on my journey. The first time a man of color put his hand on my shoulder and called me "son" was in prison. The first time I ever read a book from cover to cover and the first time I was told I was smart or had potential was in prison. The first time a man called me "brother" was in prison. It's where I learned the value of trust, self-knowledge, and relationships to personal growth.
Prison was also where I entered the kitchen for the first time and discovered my passion for cooking. That discovery became the most transformative "aha" moment of my life. Cooking was my gift—and it became a turning point in my reinvention.
I believe in helping my employees develop a vision for their success—and then working together to develop a plan to make it happen.
Fulfilling Personal and Professional Development
At 32, I left prison a changed man, but I recognized the need for continual change. As an entry-level employee just out of prison, I quickly learned to humble myself and express myself with a smile, rather than a scary "mean mug" from prison.
But I didn't completely abandon my street smarts. As a drug dealer, I had an innate gift for business. I understood marketing, branding, customer service, and managing a diverse workforce. My training, although it was from the street, was real, but I had a bad product. The blinders came off in prison when a fellow inmate, a Wall Street millionaire, explained to me that "selling is selling"—the difference is the product and how one conducts business.
Today, as a manager and a leader, I believe in giving people a chance, just as I was given in my early career. I believe in building relationships and helping my employees discover their hidden talents while cultivating their skills through praise and constructive criticism. I believe in helping my employees develop a vision for their success—and then working together to develop a plan to make it happen.
Learning Leadership
I honed my leadership skills in the kitchen, where I learned that consistency in delegation and clear communication skills were key ingredients to success. Yet, I wasn't satisfied with merely standing by and supervising. I would get in the trenches and cook with my team every day. I got my hands dirty—a management approach applicable to all good leaders, because it shows a commitment to creating the best product possible. It also demonstrates the value of teamwork, accountability, and relationship building, traits that are valuable internally, as well as externally with vendors, clients, and business partners.
It's important to coach your workers as they go and use praise to open the door to growth opportunities. I study my employees' strengths and weaknesses and place them in positions where they can best apply their gifts to help them gain confidence, develop their skills, and take advantage of new opportunities.
Developing a Solid Team
I coined the phrase "smarter-than-you crew" during my days on the street with dealers and customers because I observed others around me who were smarter and more successful than I. Later, as a budding chef, I strategically placed people around me who were experts in areas where I was weak, so I could acquire new skills and knowledge—like ways to communicate with different audiences and where to generate leads and make connections. The lesson: Study those who have the job you want to attain for yourself.
I apply team cultivation, mentorship, and observation to my kitchen and business to learn from others and to identify and develop the talent of my own "crew." This not only results in better relationships with employees; it also helps them grow as professionals and leads to a stronger company culture.
Of all the "aha" realizations on my journey of transformation, one of the greatest has been this: Don't give up. When you get knocked down eight times, stand up nine. It's never too late to achieve your version of the American dream.
Chef Jeff Henderson is the host of the nationally syndicated series "Family Style with Chef Jeff" and "Flip My Food" and author of "Cooked: My Journey from the Streets to the Stove." In his speaking career, he offers unique expertise on facing adversity, cultivating interpersonal relationships, managing a diverse workforce, and identifying one's personal gifts.
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