Leadership is Like Peppers
Hot peppers are measured in Scoville Heat Units. The units indicate how much water is required to dilute the heat of the pepper to the point that the pepper is no longer detectable.
Sample Scoville Heat Units from lowest to highest:
sweet bell pepper = 0 - 100
jalapeno = 2,500 - 10,000
habanero = 100,000 - 350,000
ghost pepper = 750,000-1.5 million
law enforcement pepper spray = 1.5 million - 3.0 million
Peters’ Peck of Peppers
Some of us need the pepper mild; some like just the hint of heat; some want the pepper to induce a sweat mustache. Like pepper preferences, leadership requires sensing what others need and tailoring our intensity.
How are leaders like peppers? First, our teams need different heat levels at times. To some we’re not detectable enough; for others, we’re too detectable. Some want you right there in the mix; some are best when left alone. Some are comfortable with quarterly feedback; others want feedback in the moment. Some may find our style supportive, while others see it as micromanaging. Some may find us trusting in our delegation, while others may see our delegation as a sign we’re disengaged.
My leadership style moves along the Scoville scale. When I’ve had previous successes with a person, my leadership style is more sweet bell pepper to jalapeno. I like to stay informed and provide guidance, and I trust I’ll be pulled in at the appropriate times.
With people new to me, I am more habanero. I want to see work in progress frequently to ensure we have a common understanding of the outcome. I’m trusting but verifying.
I become ghost pepper when the stakes are high for all of us. For example, any pandemic response team should have been providing ghost pepper leadership.
One year, on the cusp of a significant promotion, I let my personal agenda to make promotion negatively influence my leadership intensity. I deployed ghost pepper leadership to people who needed only sweet bell pepper. My personal insecurities led me to micromanage and demotivate high performers.
I deploy pepper spray leadership when Core Values have been violated.
Before you serve yourself up to help your teams, decide if the leadership you need to provide--in that moment--should be mild, medium, hot, or nuclear.
