GREASY FOOD
Growing up in a Midwestern family with a mom who was an exceptional cook—especially when it came to the heavy, greasy fare the region is known for—I developed a deep appreciation for both food and for the vital role it plays in bringing people together.
I just assumed everyone grew up with the same understanding. So when I began working with business owners, I was surprised to learn this wasn’t always the case.
The realization hit me early on, while working with a young owner who was learning the fundamentals of business at about the same time he was learning the fundamentals of life. I suggested he take some of his customers and prospects to lunch—not to sell them anything, but to get to know them and understand what influenced their buying decisions.
For him, this was uncharted territory. The idea of inviting someone to lunch was well outside his comfort zone and sparked all kinds of questions: Where do I take them? What do we talk about? What if they say no?
I knew this was important, not just for his business but for his personal growth, so we worked through it together. Along with drafting a few conversation starters, I explained that in just about every culture on earth, food is a natural facilitator for conversation and connection. It’s even woven into our everyday language: “Let’s meet for coffee.” “Let’s have lunch.” “Let’s grab a beer.”
Sharing food with someone sends a message that they matter. It implies that we know them well enough, or want to know them better, to share that time together.
Years ago, one of my business development reps took a container of homemade chicken soup to a customer who was down with a bad cold. Long after she left my company, that customer still talked about the gesture and continued to give us her business.
We all have stories like this.
Food as a connector extends beyond family, friends, and customers. It plays a powerful role in the workplace, too. You can hardly get through a business day anymore without someone mentioning company culture and how critical it is to success. Leaders everywhere are looking for ways to strengthen or shape it. One of the simplest tools they have is food.
Food opens doors to conversations that owners or managers might not otherwise have. Some of these conversations will be fun. Some will be serious. But they’re all important. They provide insights into who employees are as people, not just workers. It forces leaders to be present, if only for the length of the meal. And it shows they cared enough to think ahead and make time for the connection.
Food is the universal grease that keeps the wheels of commerce turning. It cuts across religion, nationality, and language. It softens barriers and helps us see things from a different angle.
It’s worth taking time this week to consider how food might help deepen your understanding of someone or something new.
