Let Him Cook

Today we’re talking about knowing when to take the ball, when to pass it, and when to just get the hell out of the kitchen and let someone cook.

One Big (Talented) Thing

“Let him cook”

A phrase that anyone born before the year 1991 reading this will not understand.

So, let’s have Dictionary.com define it: “freely let a person do something they are good at.”

Pretty spot on for a company that doesn’t use AI (allegedly).

“Letting someone cook” is essentially like Kobe Bryant in the 4th quarter. Get the f*** out of his way and LET HIM COOK.

It’s Tom Brady in a two-minute drill. Just let him do his thing.

It’s Min Woo Lee on the golf course (he’s really coining the phrase and built a brand around it posting social media videos with the phrase attached to the content).

It’s Pete Weber bowling a walk-off strike and going crazy after…

Don’t stop this man’s ridiculous celebration, LET HIM COOK!

It’s your buddy seven beers deep on the dance floor thinking he is the 11-year-old kid from the Indonesian rowboat aura farming video…

Ok you get the point, when someone is hot, give them the ball and let them take the last shot.

LET HIM (or her) COOK!

Now, why do I bring this Gen Z TikTok saying up?

Because in the media industry that I work in, I’ve realized sometimes you just need to let people cook. Back off and let them run with things.

Specifically, the “talent” when it comes to creating content.

Talent in my industry is an “on-camera personality” most of the time.

I am thinking specifically of Caleb Pressley. Watching him operate on-camera coming up with funny scripts is quite impressive and amusing.

He really doesn’t need much direction from producers. Just take a step back and watch the talent COOK!

Now, this made me think that you don’t just need to be an on-camera comedian for someone to write an article about you saying, “LET HIM COOK!”

Anyone can be the talent.

Anyone can cook - besides me with any dinner recipe that doesn’t involve the grill (just ask my girlfriend).

Talent is also employees, the manpower that runs a company.

Maybe you’re an entry-level marketing employee, an insurance broker that dishes out property & casualty plans, CNC machine manufacturing operator (now I’m just listing my summer internships from 8 years ago). Regardless of the role, you have the ability to get “in the zone” and get hot with either good ideas or great execution.

If that’s the case, then you should be heard.

So, if you think you’re “talented”, go ask your boss for the ball in the 4th quarter.

And if you’re a boss of any sort and manage “talent”, let your teammates cook. You never know what the results will be.

Now sure, not everyone on your roster is going to be LeBron James, there’s going to be a couple of Brian Scalabrines in the mix…

Sorry Scal, you didn’t deserve that shot. You were crucial to the Boston Celtics 2008 championship run as a locker room glue guy.

Anyways, if you’re cooking and your boss or girlfriend or teammate or anybody is holding you back, give them the Heisman stiff arm…

And say… “LET ME COOK”!

And if you’re a “boss” reading this, and you feel like you’re holding people back on your team, just let them cook and see what the result is.

Their chef tools can always be taken away, but you never know if they will produce that magical Tom Brady two-minute drill.