Every summer at our family’s lake place in Skaneateles, my mom makes world-famous pancakes.
Most people don’t realize the first pancake in every batch is almost never perfect. Sometimes it’s burnt. Other times it’s raw in the middle, uneven, or misshapen. An imperfect first pancake is not a problem for Mom but an opportunity she expects and secretly relishes.
Why the First Pancake Matters
That first pancake’s job isn’t to be perfect. It’s to provide feedback. It tells her if the griddle’s too hot, if the batter needs adjusting, or if the timing is off.
Once she’s made that first one, she knows exactly what to do. From there, the pancakes come out golden, fluffy, and delicious—the ones we rave about.
The first pancake sets the stage for all the rest.
A Leadership Lesson in Disguise
Over the years, I’ve realized the first pancake is not about pancakes. It’s about innovation and leadership.
At Blanchard, we remind leaders that progress matters more than perfection. Anytime you try something new or return to something you haven’t done in a while, you’re bound to turn out a few first pancakes.
That doesn’t mean failure. It means feedback. It means learning by doing, testing, adjusting, and improving.
The real danger is expecting perfection right away—or never trying because you’re afraid your first attempt won’t measure up.
Progress Over Perfection
The truth is, you don’t get to great results without those first pancakes.
So don’t wait for perfect. Make the first pancake. Learn from it. Adjust. And then keep going until you’re serving your best work.
Because every golden pancake, every successful project, every breakthrough moment can be traced back to that very first one. The first pancake sets the foundation for the batch that follows.
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