5 lessons barbecue has for business

The opinions expressed by entrepreneurs contributors are their own.

For thousands of years, humans have gathered around a fire, relying on its warmth and ability to feed themselves. And while our modern gatherings may look a little different from those of our prehistoric ancestors, there's still a certain magic that happens when a group of people come together to feast around the flame: it's the magic of .

I'm a grilling enthusiast. That means I'm constantly learning new strategies to throw the best barbecue possible, which leaves guests asking for take-out boxes. As I grew as a leader, I realized that many of these strategies I use in front of the fire also apply to my business. So how can we bring the magic of barbecue out to our backyard and office?

There's nothing worse than attending a summer barbecue only to find there's no food that fits your dietary restrictions. You're stuck eating fries and salsa for dinner while the rest of the guests enjoy the feast.

As hosts, it is our duty to consider all dietary needs and preferences when creating the menu to ensure that all guests can participate. The same goes when creating an inclusive work culture: what should your menu of offerings include to support everyone, regardless of background?

It may be more work for the host, but when we increase the flavors on the menu, we increase the likelihood that everyone will leave satisfied and perhaps even surprised by a dish they have never tried previously. Likewise, by creating an inclusive and diverse work environment, we not only meet the needs of different people on our team, but we also create a richer and more exciting end product for our clients.

Related: The Hard Lesson This BBQ Entrepreneur Learned When He Sold Himself to a Corporate Backer

When barbecuing, you need to be mindful of the heat of the grill. Do you want a high, hot temperature to quickly sear a steak? Or low and slow to smoke a chest?

The best grills control their heat; they don't let the heat control them. In , emotion is our fire and it's essential to our success, but it can be too easy to let our emotions get away from us. Without self-awareness and control, we can exceed our limits, unintentionally burden or even injure our employees.

Conversely, we can be too "cool", allow ourselves to be abused or let bad behavior pass. Great leaders know how to modulate their temperament according to the context and the result they are trying to achieve: they are in the moment, their eyes firmly fixed on the temperature gauge, ready to adapt at any moment. Preparation is our friend

A barbecue host's nightmare might look like this: you're standing in front of the grill, sweating balls, and the food is an hour late. Guests are hungry, impatient and silently wondering if they should leave and just order takeout.

Without proper preparation, a barbecue can quickly go wrong. Also, if you don't plan ahead and marinate the meat or season the vegetables, the food you were going to serve will not only be late but also below average.

Our result is commensurate with our preparation. Whether I'm standing in front of the grill or in front of my board members, if I'm not prepared, my results won't meet my goals. When I'm too busy to properly prepare for a board meeting, the meeting is unfocused and unproductive. However, when I take the time to define my goals and collect my notes, the meeting goes smoothly and we achieve what we need.

Related: 6 Leadership Lessons I Learned Playing Hockey

Grills know they can't "set it and forget it", walk away from the fire to chat with friends or cool down indoors. If they do, they risk committing one of the cardinal sins of grilling: overcooked meat. Your heart sinks when you poke the charred, dry breast, and more often than not the food is unsalvageable. Although we have a bar...