The Right Tool for the Job

Six months ago, owning a stand mixer wasn’t even on my radar. Today, I am going through a kitchen renovation where the Kitchenaid mixer is getting its very own cabinet.

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It all started with a simple Google search: “Why is gluten-free pizza crust so much better in Italy?”

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I wasn't surprised by the answers that talked about the ways ingredients differ in Italy. But, one of the most common answers did surprise me:

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Mixing super thoroughly matters - a lot - because it's not just about the ingredients being well-blended, it's about how ingredients are activated during the process. The pros said it’s nearly impossible to get the texture right without a stand mixer.

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Cue the next Google search: stand mixers.

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A few days (and a few texts to my friends and family members who love their mixers) later, I was at Target, 3 hours before Kitchenaid's huge holiday sale ended, grabbing the last mixer off the shelf.

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Fast-forward to today: installing a mixer cabinet.

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A stand mixer wasn't a tool I knew I needed, but once I had it, it became a go-to for so much more than making pizza dough: making whipped cream, shredding chicken, even helping soften the butter that I always forget to bring to room temp so I can still have nearly-perfect cookies.

It makes these tasks easier and faster and it motivates me to try making things I probably wouldn’t have tried before.

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The right tool for the right challenge means better outcomes, increased efficiency and better use of time, effort, and energy.

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It reminds me of leadership coaching and training. So much of leadership is recognizing challenges and choosing the right tool to help you overcome them.

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The best tool isn’t always one you already have, and that’s OK.

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Leadership isn’t about having all the tools. It’s about building your toolkit over time as a circumstance requires and then expanding how you use your tools to best meet each situation.

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For example, maybe you brush up on your change management skills to support the success of a reorg, and then realize those same skills can be used for a software rollout or an office move.

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Or maybe you decide to sharpen your strategic thinking skills to build a stronger 3-year plan, then realize they’re just as useful for day-to-day projects.

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All new tools come with a learning curve, but the time and energy you invest will pay off in the long run. Hiring a coach or investing in leadership training can expedite the process.

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The best part? When you invest in new tools, you’re not just improving your own leadership, and therefore the experience of your team, you’re also signaling to those around you that growth and learning matter here.

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