When Damola Adamolekun took the helm of Red Lobster in August 2024, the headlines focused on two things: his age (36) and the restaurant’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy. But for those watching closely, Adamolekun wasn't a newcomer to high-stakes turnarounds. Having previously led P.F. Chang’s through the turbulence of the pandemic, he has become a symbol of a new era of leadership.
His journey offers a masterclass in professional growth. Whether you are a fresh graduate looking for your first "big break" or a seasoned employee navigating corporate shifts, the Adamolekun playbook provides actionable strategies to power your professional journey.
1. Own Your "Experience Gap"
When Adamolekun was appointed CEO of P.F. Chang’s in April 2020, he succeeded John Antioco, an executive with eight CEO titles under his belt. Adamolekun didn't try to fake decades of industry experience. Instead, he acknowledged the "experience gap" as a starting point.
The Lesson:
For Graduates: Don't let a lack of experience lead to "imposter syndrome." Instead, view your "outsider perspective" as a strength. You have fresh eyes and aren't wedded to "the way we've always done it."
For Seasoned Employees: Recognize that experience can sometimes lead to rigidity. Like Adamolekun, learn to value the fresh energy and digital-native insights of younger colleagues.
“In anything you do, you need to recognize your strengths and your weaknesses,” Adamolekun told the “How Leaders Lead” podcast. “Experience is clearly a weakness... so for me, it’s about recognizing that and accentuating your strengths.”
2. Leverage the "Information Around You"
Adamolekun’s success didn't come from knowing everything; it came from knowing who to ask. During the P.F. Chang’s turnaround—which saw revenue jump from $601 million to $922 million in one year—he leaned heavily on his team.
Actionable Strategies for Your Career:
| Perspective | Career Move | Why it Works |
| The Young Graduate | Find a Mentor | If you don't have experience, "borrow" it by listening to those who do. |
| The Seasoned Pro | Reverse Mentoring | Engage with junior staff to understand emerging trends and technologies. |
| Both | Active Listening | As Adamolekun said, if you engage with people, their experience becomes your own. |
3. The "Hard Hat" Mentality: Operational Humility
Despite his background at Goldman Sachs and TPG Capital, Adamolekun wasn't a "spreadsheet-only" CEO. He was known for "putting on the hard hat," working on the ground to help reopen stores.
This operational humility is what builds a "cult following" among employees. When the leader is willing to do the dirty work, the team feels seen and valued.
The Professional Takeaway:
Never be "too big" for the small tasks. If you are a manager, spend time on the front lines. If you are a graduate, show initiative by volunteering for the "un-glamorous" projects. This builds a reputation for reliability and grit that no degree can replicate.
4. Emotional Intelligence over Micromanagement
Billionaire Mark Cuban famously noted that his biggest early mistake was being a "go, go, go" micromanager who scared employees. Adamolekun takes the opposite approach: Align, Motivate, and Empower.
At Red Lobster, while he had to make difficult decisions—including a 10% cut in corporate staff to ensure profitability—he has remained focused on hospitality and menu innovation.
The Lesson for Leaders:
Empower your people to own their jobs. Micromanagement is a sign of insecurity; empowerment is a sign of leadership. Your job is to set the vision and then get out of the way of the experts you hired.
5. Strategic Decisiveness Under Pressure
Navigating a bankruptcy exit like Red Lobster’s requires a "cool head." Adamolekun argues that stress is the enemy of clear thinking. If you freak out about the stakes, you end up making bad decisions.
How to Apply This:
Don't overthink the pressure: Focus on the process, not the potential for failure.
Stay calm to stay clear: In a crisis, the person who remains the calmest usually becomes the leader by default.
Make decisions regardless of the stakes: Analyze the data, consult your "circle of experience," and then move forward decisively.
The Path Forward
Damola Adamolekun’s rise from an investment banking analyst to the CEO of a multi-billion dollar restaurant chain wasn't just a result of his financial acumen. It was his ability to shore up his weaknesses and leverage the talent around him.
Red Lobster is now betting on a heightened focus on hospitality and a leaner corporate structure to return to its former glory. For the rest of us, the message is clear: success isn't about being the "perfect candidate"—it's about being the most self-aware and resilient person in the room.
