Lessons on Technology Adoption and Empowerment from the Kitchen
When I was in my early 20s, I barely knew how to cook. If it didn’t come in a box with step-by-step instructions, I was lost. My culinary expertise was limited to ramen noodles, boxed macaroni and cheese, hamburger helper, and maybe baking a cake or cookies from a mix. Cooking felt like such a chore, and no matter what I made, it rarely matched the flavors of a restaurant meal. For years, I didn’t enjoy cooking — frankly, I avoided it when I could.
Fast forward nearly 30 years, and the story couldn’t be more different. Today, I love to cook — entirely from scratch. I can take fresh produce straight from the garden and turn it into shelf-stable goods or craft delicious meals from it. I’m not claiming to be a world-class chef, but the food I prepare often rivals or exceeds what we’d get dining out. Friends and family enjoy coming over for meals, and restaurant visits have become rare occasions for us.
What changed? The transformation didn’t happen overnight. It came down to three key factors that can also serve as a framework for adopting any new technology or system in the workplace: having the right tools for the job, gaining “book” knowledge to use those tools effectively, and fostering the freedom to learn and experiment.
Back then, I didn’t have much in the way of tools — a dull knife, a couple of old pots, and a basic frying pan. Today, my kitchen is equipped with sharp knives, high-quality cookware, and gadgets designed for specific tasks. The right tools transformed my cooking experience, making tasks easier and more efficient. In a business setting, technology tools play a similar role. To address a problem — whether it’s a workflow bottleneck or a process pain point—you first need to ensure you have the appropriate tools. But tools alone aren’t enough. How often do companies invest in a shiny new solution only to have it collect dust because no one knows how to use it effectively? Tools must align with both the challenges you’re addressing and the goals you’re pursuing.
The next step is understanding how to use those tools. I spent hours learning — watching tutorials, reading recipes, and studying techniques. This “book” knowledge gave me a foundation, shortening my learning curve. It also saved me from making some of the mistakes others had already encountered. For example, I learned not to substitute baking powder for baking soda the hard way. The same applies to businesses adopting new technology. Learning how other organizations have used a tool — successfully or unsuccessfully — can provide valuable insights. This kind of benchmarking builds confidence. When you see that companies like yours have solved similar problems, it’s easier to believe you can do it too. Knowledge reduces fear, accelerates progress, and ensures you’re making informed decisions.
Finally, success requires freedom to experiment. When I began cooking with my new tools, not every meal was perfect. There were burnt dishes, under-seasoned soups, and more than one batch of dry cookies. But those “failures” were part of the process. Each one taught me how to improve and helped me refine my skills. Likewise, when implementing new technology in the workplace, not everything will go perfectly right away. Experimentation and iteration are critical to long-term success. Employees need the freedom to explore, fail, and adapt without fear of judgment. A culture that encourages experimentation is the foundation for innovation. Over time, teams learn how to integrate the tools into their workflows and achieve seamless results.
Cooking a great meal involves more than having the best salad or the crispest green beans. If the steak is burned, the entire experience is tainted. Similarly, technology adoption is not just about tools or training in isolation. It’s about bringing the right tools, knowledge, and freedom together to create balance. As leaders, we must empower our teams with the resources they need, equip them with knowledge to avoid common pitfalls, and foster a culture that allows for learning and creativity. Whether it’s in the kitchen or the workplace, the recipe for success is the same: the right tools, continuous learning, and the freedom to experiment.
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