Are you a chef or hospitality professional finding it challenging to lead your team effectively under pressure while meeting employer benchmarks and providing exceptional experiences for your guests and your team?

Do you sense the burden of ongoing decision-making, extended hours, and high expectations pulling you away from the leader you aspire to be?

If so, you’ve arrived at the right place. In 2025, I will demonstrate how adopting a transformational leadership style and mindfulness practices can be vital for building a thriving team, ensuring satisfied guests, and nurturing a balanced, fulfilled version of yourself.

This is more than a resolution; it's a revolution. I am dedicating this year to helping you thrive, regardless of where your career path has led you—whether in your restaurant kitchen, front-of-house operations, hotel, event venue, or assisted living facility.

Your career and personal life will benefit significantly (if you are willing to do the work).

The Issue: Leadership in High-Pressure Hospitality Environments

The hospitality industry is exhilarating but relentless. Chefs, managers, and hospitality professionals must juggle:

• Team dynamics:

  • Managing diverse personalities under pressure.

• Employer performance metrics:

  • Beyond simply providing food or excellent guest service, it is your responsibility as a leader to budget accurately, ensuring your P&Ls align with food and beverage budgets.

  • Additionally, you must keep employees satisfied while consistently meeting performance standards to prevent intervention from the human resources department or collective bargaining.

  • If employees do not meet those standards, you need to develop a plan to enhance performance (all YOU wanted to do when you entered the business was cook great food or make people happy with great food and service).

• Guest satisfaction:

  • Achieving or surpassing expectations in real-time.

• Family life and personal well-being:

  • Besides the long hours, mostly on weekends and holidays when everyone else is having fun, you must also balance family obligations.

  • And last, because it is usually the case that chefs and busy hospitality professionals tend to self-care last and only “when there is time.” But we’ll change that!

I totally get it because I have been there!

Not having the right tools makes it easy to feel overwhelmed, disconnected, and lonely, resulting in frustration, high turnover, and reduced guest experiences.

However, having those tools is increasingly important to future leaders.

Sisson et al. (2024) conducted a study examining the desirability and availability of undergraduate education in recognizing and supporting mental health conditions and crises in hospitality and tourism industry settings. 

The following two tables, adapted from Sisson et al. (2024), provide insights into the perspectives of hospitality and tourism management faculty and undergraduate students regarding mental health education.

Table 1, "Student Importance of Mental Health Conditions in Classroom Instruction," illustrates how students value learning about mental health in their coursework to prepare for industry challenges.

Table 1 shows that tourism and hospitality students believe it is extremely or very important to receive training or at least exposure to education in the eight surveyed areas. In contrast, Table 2 below indicates that these students only sometimes or never received instruction about mental health.

Table 2, "Student Integration of Mental Health Conditions/Crisis in Classroom Instructions," shows the actual integration of mental health education and crisis intervention training into their current curriculum.

Table 2 highlights the discrepancies between tourism and hospitality students' willingness to undergo training (as shown in Table 1) and the subjects they are currently taught (as detailed in Table 2). Evidently, those of us involved in hospitality and tourism education, especially in post-secondary programs, must explore ways to incorporate meaningful instruction into the curriculum. This approach will help students develop essential life and leadership skills, enabling them to become resilient leaders with the emotional intelligence needed to effectively address mental health issues and crises.

We have addressed this need at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education by creating a CA 170 Stress Management: Staying Grounded in the Hustle elective course.

This seven-week elective is designed to build skills such as understanding the stress response, familiarizing oneself with how the mind and body are interconnected, and discovering techniques for harnessing this connection to reduce stress and enhance resilience. Students will also develop mindfulness and relaxation practices that can be integrated into their daily routines to decrease stress and increase mental clarity.

Students will explore self-care strategies that promote a healthy work-life balance and bolster physical and mental health. Students will also discover tools for building personal resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, which are essential in the hospitality industry.

This course is very experiential. It explores stress management techniques tailored to the unique challenges encountered in various hospitality roles, such as culinary, customer service, management, and event planning.

CA 170 Staying Grounded in the Hussle allows students to improve their communication skills, foster positive relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and guests, and constructively manage conflicts.

This course introduces students to tools and skills for managing stress and anxiety effectively. Students who commit to regular practice and ongoing professional development on these topics will be uniquely positioned to cultivate a workplace culture that promotes well-being and supports stress management for themselves and their colleagues.

This focus on stress management and well-being is vital for future culinary and hospitality industry leaders and for enhancing the skills of chefs and hospitality professionals already established in the workforce.

According to a few studies in Great Britain, the five most common health issues facing Michelin-star chefs are alcohol dependency, cocaine dependency, depression, anxiety, and burnout (Paracelsus Recovery, 2023).

Sadly, a 2024 Australian study by Burnett et al. (2022) concluded that a need exists for targeted prevention of suicide by Australian hospitality workers. Their overall results suggest that hospitality occupations present a higher risk of suicidal behavior than other non-hospitality occupations.

The transformational leadership and mindfulness professional development program that I will launch for chefs and hospitality industry professionals aims to address these gaps.

So, what if there were a leadership approach that helps you manage all these challenges more effectively?

A leadership style that could transform your team, work environment, and personal life, prevent burnout, and boost job satisfaction in our fast-paced and demanding industry? 

As the Program Director of the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I have spoken with numerous small and large businesses across the industry.

I hear the same concern repeatedly: Producing chefs and hospitality professionals with exceptional technical skills is insufficient.

Fostering a culture of lifelong learning, which equips future leaders with practical leadership skills to manage culinary and hospitality operations effectively, is the missing ingredient, the one essential for long-term career success.

The hospitality industry requires leaders with technical expertise and the capacity to inspire their teams and consistently achieve exceptional outcomes under pressure.

Many chefs and hospitality professionals struggle to balance technical skills with in-demand leadership abilities.

This imbalance has motivated me to concentrate my professional development, as required by our collective bargaining agreement for GRCC faculty, on sharing evidence-based content for leadership development in 2025.

However, my approach extends beyond traditional methods.

In the transformational leadership and mindfulness professional development program, I draw on my Austrian-trained chef background, including my apprenticeship, culinary school education, and industry experience.

I will also use my academic training in transformational leadership and research in contemplative sciences, both of which were central to my PhD studies.

Integrating contemplative practices such as mindfulness meditation with transformational leadership benefits aspiring leaders and seasoned professionals in our industry.

It offers a fresh perspective and equips you with the tools and strategies necessary to excel in culinary and hospitality careers.

One main benefit of incorporating daily mindfulness practices and adopting a transformational leadership style is that they equip you with the skills necessary to manage demanding jobs.

This approach helps chefs and other hospitality professionals cope with long, irregular working hours, a shortage of workers, limited family time, and an overall decline in quality of life (Abolnasser et al., 2023; Schutte & Malouff, 2011).

In other words, it is a recipe for building resilience against stress and anxiety, which can, in turn, prevent burnout—a reality we all know can lead to chefs and industry professionals leaving the field altogether or, worse, dying by suicide (Kloutsiniotis et al., 2022).

Considering these challenges, I want to redirect our attention toward a practical and transformative solution. This solution is crafted to meet the unique demands of the culinary and hospitality industries, offering the tools and strategies needed to help you navigate these pressures with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

Transformational Leadership, Mindfulness, and Emotional Intelligence: Your Path to Thriving in Culinary and Hospitality Careers

Figure Caption: This image was adapted from Walbeek and El Hajal (2022). It highlights how transformational leadership positively impacts hedonic and eudaemonic well-being among hospitality workers. The study found that such leadership boosts self-reported well-being, personal growth, altruism, and confidence. These insights suggest that hospitality organizations should focus on training managers to be transformational leaders. This is crucial, as a significant portion of employee thriving and engagement can be linked to organizational transformational leadership.

What is Transformational Leadership?

Transformational leadership is a style that inspires and motivates teams through (a) charisma, (b) a clear vision, (c) creative thinking, and (d) consideration of each team member’s needs (Avolio & Bass, 1993; Bass, 1997).

(a) Charisma:

• Researchers refer to this concept as charisma or idealized influence.

• Within the framework of transformational leadership theory, it is also known as leading by example and gaining the team's loyalty and respect through moral and ethical behavior.

• Transformational leaders model positive behavior, encouraging team members to replicate their actions.

• For example, a transformational leader who demonstrates hard work and dedication will reflect these qualities through their efforts, inspiring their team members to follow suit (Ali, 2024; Avolio & Bass, 1995; Bass, 1985; Kim et al., 2023).

(b) Inspires teams through vision:

• Transformational leaders motivate teams to embrace a shared vision.

• For instance, a transformational leader who aims to enhance the educational quality of their community might inspire their team by presenting a vision of a future where every child has access to quality education.

• In other words, transformational leaders must establish a compelling vision and mission that energizes and unites their team (Ali, 2024; Avolio & Bass, 1995; Bass, 1985; Kim et al., 2023).

(c) Stimulates teams to engage in creative thinking:

• Transformational leaders inspire team members to rise above their traditional roles and explore innovative ideas.

• A transformational leader who is focused on improving organizational efficiency might encourage employees to think creatively and generate fresh ideas for streamlining processes and procedures.

• Industry leaders express this sentiment when they say, "We are looking for innovative leaders," what that means is:

We seek someone who can motivate a team to think creatively, solve problems under pressure, and achieve desired results (Ali, 2024; Avolio & Bass, 1995; Bass, 1985; Kim et al., 2023).

(d) Considers the needs of each team member:

• Transformational leaders tailor their approach to address the needs and characteristics of each team member.

• For example, a transformational leader with a team member who has a visual impairment may modify their leadership style to ensure that this individual can fully participate in team activities.

• Consider reflecting on past supervisors to whom you reported. You might have observed that work-life felt easier when you reported to an empathetic and supportive supervisor.

• Here’s why: Empathy involves understanding and addressing team members' unique challenges. Support focuses on fostering both personal and professional growth for every team member. (Ali, 2024; Avolio & Bass, 1995; Bass, 1985; Kim et al., 2023). 

The evidence is clear: Transformational leadership significantly benefits leaders, employees, and organizations. Here are some key advantages:

The Benefits of Transformational Leadership (and Two Drawbacks)

• Higher job satisfaction:

  • Employees experience increased job satisfaction when they work under transformational leaders who inspire, support, and motivate them (Notgrass, 2014; Nemanich & Keller, 2007).

• Enhanced employee engagement:

  • Transformational leaders foster environments in which employees feel valued, connected, and motivated to give their best efforts (Khan et al., 2020; Tims et al., 2011).

• Reduced turnover and burnout:

  • Transformational leadership reduces employee turnover and prevents burnout by building trust, empathy, and a shared vision, especially in high-pressure environments such as hospitality (Khan et al., 2020; Kloutsiniotis et al., 2022).

• Improved business performance:

  • Organizations guided by transformational leaders consistently achieve better outcomes, ranging from higher productivity to improved guest satisfaction (Arshad et al., 2016; Deng et al., 2023).

• Drawback 1: Effectiveness across cultures:

  • Transformational leadership principles are adaptable and may be effective (with some caveats) in various cultural and organizational contexts (Bass, 1997; Spreitzer et al., 2005).

• Drawback 2: Generational challenges:

  • According to Anderson et al. (2017) and Ng et al. (2010), the shifting demographics in North America have created a crisis for organizations as they strive to recruit and retain millennials (Gen Y, born between the 1980s and early 2000s).

  • Gen Y reportedly holds values, attitudes, and expectations significantly different from those of preceding generations of workers.

  • In light of these workforce changes, we must approach transformational leadership in a new way to keep pace with a changing workforce.

However, transformational leadership produces results even in challenging industries like hospitality by fostering highly engaged, motivated, and satisfied teams (Abolnasser et al., 2023; Deng et al., 2023).

How Does Mindfulness Improve Leadership?

Figure Caption: Adapted from Stedham and Skaar (2019), this image illustrates an integrative framework that showcases the relationship between mindfulness and leader effectiveness. It highlights direct and indirect effects and emphasizes how mindfulness impacts leader effectiveness through key characteristics, behaviors, and trust.

Mindfulness is increasingly acknowledged as vital in fostering transformational leadership, especially in high-pressure environments like the culinary and hospitality industries (Stedham & Skaar, 2019).

Mindfulness cultivates self-awareness and emotional regulation, enhancing leaders' ability to connect authentically with their teams and fostering trust and collaboration.

The research highlights several pathways through which mindfulness enriches transformational leadership, providing key insights into how these practices can empower professionals to succeed in fast-paced environments (Stedham & Skaar, 2019). 

Enhanced Emotional Regulation and Awareness:

Mindfulness enhances a leader's ability to manage emotions and stay composed under pressure, essential traits for transformational leadership.

By promoting a nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment, leaders can more effectively navigate workplace stressors, allowing them to respond constructively rather than impulsively.

This emotional stability not only improves decision-making but also demonstrates resilience for team members, thereby fostering a supportive and dynamic organizational culture (Stedham & Skaar, 2019).

Building Trust and Authentic Connections

Transformational leaders rely significantly on their ability to inspire trust and build meaningful relationships.

Mindfulness practices enhance this by fostering authenticity, attentiveness, and empathy.

Mindful leaders can engage more deeply with their team members, showing genuine care and understanding.

A leader who practices mindfulness is likely to create an environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and aligned with organizational goals (Stedham & Skaar, 2019).

Fostering Creativity and Innovation

Mindfulness fosters openness and intellectual flexibility, both crucial for the innovation-driven demands of transformational leadership.

Leaders who practice mindfulness are more likely to embrace diverse perspectives, promote creative problem-solving, and adapt to challenges with agility.

This cognitive flexibility is especially relevant in the hospitality industry, where innovation frequently drives guest satisfaction and operational success (Stedham & Skaar, 2019).

Promoting Well-Being and Resilience

Mindfulness also positively affects psychological well-being, which is crucial for leaders in the high-pressure culinary and hospitality industries.

It helps leaders maintain their energy and effectiveness over time by reducing stress and fostering a balanced mental state. This positive ripple effect supports leaders and helps cultivate a healthier, more engaged workforce (Stedham & Skaar, 2019).

The final piece of the leadership puzzle:

Emotional Intelligence

Figure Caption: Adapted from Wang and Kong (2014). This figure illustrates the relationship between mindfulness, emotional intelligence, life satisfaction, and mental distress. Higher levels of mindfulness are associated with increased emotional abilities, leading to greater life satisfaction and reduced mental distress. Wang and Kong (2014) suggest that mindfulness enhances "clarity and vividness to current experience" and promotes enhanced self-regulation through greater attentional sensitivity to psychological, somatic, and environmental cues.

Transformational leadership and mindfulness are two powerful forces that, when combined, create a rich environment for developing emotional intelligence (EI).

Transformational leaders inspire their teams with vision, integrity, and emotional engagement, creating settings where employees feel valued and motivated.

Research highlights that this leadership style boosts performance while promoting well-being and job satisfaction, particularly in high-stakes industries like hospitality (Ali, 2024; Kim et al., 2023).

When paired with mindfulness—a practice that fosters awareness, presence, and emotional regulation—leaders are equipped to act with clarity and compassion, vital attributes of emotional intelligence (Schutte & Malouff, 2011; Wang & Kong, 2014).

Mindfulness enhances self-awareness and empathy, connecting transformational leadership with emotional intelligence.

Research shows that mindfulness enables leaders to manage stress and maintain emotional balance, building trust and cultivating meaningful relationships with their teams (Carleton et al., 2018; Stedham & Skaar, 2019).

Emotional intelligence further strengthens these results by converting mindfulness and leadership traits into practical skills, such as active listening, conflict resolution, and strategic decision-making.

This collaboration ensures leaders inspire and empower their teams to excel in challenging environments (Schutte & Malouff, 2011; Walbeek & El Hajal, 2022).

Emotional intelligence is essential in the culinary and hospitality industries, where emotional labor and customer interaction are crucial.

Leaders who combine transformational strategies with mindfulness are better able to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Ultimately, emotional intelligence is the unifying force that transforms leadership practices into a sustainable model for personal and organizational success (Ali, 2024; Arnold, 2017).

In the next section of this article, I will illustrate the transformational leadership and mindfulness professional development program I am about to launch to help you develop a skill set for practicing mindfulness and transformational leadership.

The transformational leadership and mindfulness professional development program will enable you to thrive in the demanding culinary and hospitality industry while enhancing team performance and personal well-being.

Unlock Your Leadership Potential Through Transformational Leadership and Mindfulness Training

Okay, I understand. All this information can feel overwhelming.

Kudos to you for reading this far into the article. It shows how serious you are about learning new skills to improve your leadership approach.

However, I also recognize that figuring out where to start can be tricky, even with the best intentions.

The key is baby steps!

The good news is that transformational leadership is a skill that can be developed, though it may come more naturally to some than to others.

Evidence shows that training programs focused on the principles of transformational leadership can effectively enable you to inspire others, adapt to challenges, and cultivate supportive work environments (Deng et al., 2023).

Mindfulness is a skill that can be learned and enhanced through regular practice.

Daily mindfulness increases self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and stress management, positively contributing to personal well-being and professional effectiveness (Shamini et al., 2007).

Anyone can develop these essential skills through daily practice. You can gain the ability to lead effectively, embrace mindfulness, face challenges, and seize opportunities with confidence.

When developed over time, these skills turn you into a leader who can positively influence those around you, promoting growth, harmony, and collective success.

These skills are highly demanded in the hospitality industry, making you a strong candidate for leadership roles within any organization.

With this in mind, I am utilizing my professional development to design an immersive and practical transformational leadership and mindfulness program to enhance your professional growth.

Each mission and its quests systematically examine key elements of transformational leadership, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence, providing the highly sought-after skills essential for success in the hospitality industry.

7 Missions to Master Transformational Leadership, Mindfulness, and Emotional Intelligence: An Engaging, Immersive Professional Development Experience

Transform your career, mindset, and leadership potential with the transformational leadership and mindfulness professional development program. This comprehensive, strategic program is tailored for culinary and hospitality professionals eager to excel as leaders in today's dynamic workplace and entrepreneurial environments.

This immersive program will equip you with skills in transformational leadership, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence at your own pace.

Whether you start today or months from now, the program offers a structured yet flexible pathway for growth. Each of the seven missions consists of four quests.

The quests within each mission develop mission-specific core concepts that provide actionable strategies for incorporating these skills into your professional and personal life.

Why Four Quests for Each Mission?

You must embark on four quests to complete each mission. Each quest emphasizes experiential learning and transformation, helping you absorb complex ideas without feeling overwhelmed.

The 3–5-hour time commitment for each quest ensures you have enough time to engage fully with the material, reflect, and practice applying new skills without significantly disrupting your schedule.

This approach offers a balanced progression that integrates seamlessly into your busy life while providing meaningful education for lasting growth.

Overview of the Seven Missions

Desired Outcomes of the 7 Missions to Master Transformational Leadership, Mindfulness, and Emotional Intelligence

By the end of this journey, you will likely have developed the skills needed to be a leader who inspires with vision, navigates challenges with mindful resilience, and connects with others through emotionally intelligent engagement.

All qualities that research indicates are vital for building thriving teams and attaining sustainable success.

These transformative skills can help you differentiate yourself as a professional, enable you to excel in leadership roles, and foster significant organizational change. 

Why I Think a Membership Model is the Best Approach

The membership model creates a harmonious balance between sustainability, value delivery, and community engagement.

Here’s why I think it will be the most cost-effective approach to deliver the transformational leadership and mindfulness professional development program:

A Focus on Quality Without Distractions

Unlike ad-based models, which clutter websites with intrusive banners and pop-ups, the membership model keeps the experience clean and focused. This allows me to direct all resources toward creating high-quality, distraction-free content that truly benefits you, the member.

Sustainable and Mission-Aligned Revenue

Paid memberships ensure financial stability, allowing us to concentrate solely on what matters: developing tools and resources that help members unlock their potential, inspire others, and lead purposefully.

Personalized, Self-Paced Development

Members can progress at their own pace, choosing when and how to engage with our structured modules. This flexibility respects individual learning styles and schedules, enhancing the overall experience.

Comprehensive Learning Resources

Membership unlocks access to a wide variety of tools:

• Interactive exercises

  1. Practical tools and worksheets

  2. Reflective prompts

  3. Guided meditations

  4. Multimedia content, including videos and podcasts

  5. Community forums for shared insights and discussions

Exclusive Access to Expert-Led Opportunities

Weekly Guided Meditations: Join live sessions to cultivate mindfulness, build resilience, and connect with like-minded professionals.

Monthly Q&A Sessions: Interact with experts in live sessions to clarify concepts, creating a personalized learning experience.

A Strong Sense of Community

Beyond personal growth, the membership model fosters connection.

You join a like-minded group of professionals passionate about the culinary arts and the hospitality and tourism sector who want to learn more about mindfulness, leadership, and well-being—providing support, inspiration, and shared learning opportunities.

How the Paid Membership Works

Benefits for Members:

• Holistic Growth: Gain tools and knowledge to excel personally and professionally.

• Flexibility: Start and advance at your own pace, with modules structured for step-by-step progress.

• Engagement: Participate in weekly mindfulness meditations, live Q&As, and community discussions.

• Empowerment: Use insights and resources to lead with purpose and clarity.

• Low-Risk Stakes: Cancel your membership anytime.

This model will allow me to commit to offering unparalleled value while staying true to my mission of empowering chefs and hospitality professionals to lead with mindfulness, resilience, and authenticity.

Step on the Path to Transformational Leadership

I know this sounds ambitious, but I've been on this journey for the past two decades—leading teams, overcoming challenges, and transforming my leadership and life through these principles.

I’m sharing what has worked for me and relevant research to help you create your success story!

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step (Lao Zi, 2015).

I look forward to welcoming you to the 7 Missions to Master Transformational Leadership, Mindfulness, and Emotional Intelligence—an engaging and immersive professional development experience.

Let me help you shape your future as an influential leader in the culinary and hospitality industry.

Thank you for reading - drA

By the way, I am

Dr. Werner Absenger (drA)

Founder of MindBodyMed, DBA WernerAbsenger.com

People say I am a thought leader in mindfulness and transformational leadership. I specialize in helping culinary and hospitality professionals thrive. With my blend of academic insight and hands-on experience, I guide aspiring leaders in the culinary and hospitality industry to cultivate resilience, emotional intelligence, and a culture of well-being. I’m deeply committed to helping others lead authentically and inspire positive change.

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Generative AI Tools Acknowledgement

After conducting extensive research for this article in peer-reviewed journals, I partially generated this text using ChatGPT4o, OpenAI's large-scale language-generation model. After generating the draft language, I reviewed, edited, and made major revisions in Grammarly (2024), and I take ultimate responsibility for the content of this article.