In this episode of Questions Are Greater Than Answers, we explore an unexpected but powerful leadership tool: the kitchen table.

Drawing inspiration from Carlo Ancelotti, the former manager of Real Madrid, we unpack how food, cooking, and shared meals can become quiet acts of leadership that shape culture. In his memoir Quiet Leadership, Ancelotti reflects on his love of cooking—especially pasta—and how preparing food for others helped him build trust, connection, and a sense of family within elite teams.

We extend this idea across the football world. Former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has shared how time spent in the training-ground kitchen was a core part of becoming a professional—bonding with teammates, learning norms, and building relationships beyond the pitch. At Manchester United, legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson intentionally redesigned the club’s training-ground canteen so academy players would regularly eat alongside first-team stars, creating organic mentorship, breaking down hierarchy, and reinforcing a shared identity.

Together, these stories highlight a deeper leadership truth: culture is often built in informal spaces. Kitchens, restaurants, and shared meals become places where hierarchy softens, trust grows, and people feel seen as human beings—not just performers.

This episode invites listeners to rethink leadership beyond tactics and titles. What if culture isn’t only shaped in meetings, locker rooms, or strategy sessions—but over pasta, conversation, and time spent together? And what might today’s leaders learn from managers who understood that sometimes the most powerful leadership moments happen far away from the spotlight?

Quiet Leadership Book

Robbie van Persie on High Performance podcast