| Darren Meltz | |
| I look for opportunities to deepen my understanding and insight | Consistently |
| I believe that people are more than their work and I am spiritually emotionally and socially considerate | Consistently |
| I take time to think about work and the changes happening around us | Consistently |
| I see how the work done today affects work that may be required tomorrow | Consistently |
| I consider and discuss how decisions and actions could affect other work groups | Consistently |
| I share information and listen to others to make better decisions | Consistently |
| I pay attention to local and international current affairs which impact our business | Consistently |
| I take time to understand the rest of our business | Consistently |
| I look for ways to improve our business processes and for reducing siloes | Consistently |
| I am very aware listen really well and notice important clues that are not obvious to others | Consistently |
Please provide examples of how you demonstrate systems thinking and sense-making ability in your career (Approx 100-300 words) | |
| My approach to leadership at SecretEATS is grounded in systems thinking - seeing the business as an interconnected ecosystem where hospitality, partnerships, guest experience and community impact all intersect. I approach every decision with the bigger picture in mind, ensuring that each element of the experience - from concept development and chef selection to operational logistics and guest engagement aligns to create seamless, memorable events. For example, when launching SecretEATS in new regions, I map operational workflows, regulatory requirements, supplier networks and cultural expectations before introducing the brand to the new market. This allowed the concept to scale successfully while maintaining the exclusivity and experiential quality for which SecretEATS is known. Simultaneously, I leveraged partnerships with media and lifestyle brands to amplify reach, ensuring the launch contributes to both brand growth and strategic positioning. Within South Africa, I apply the same systems lens when developing new SecretEATS experiences, such as Secret Dinner Meanders, SecretEATS : The Reserve and Secret Cinema. Each initiative requires coordination across chefs, venues, suppliers, sponsors and guests and I consider how each component affects the overall experience and the wider business ecosystem. By mapping interdependencies and anticipating challenges, I create experiences that are operationally smooth, commercially viable and socially impactful. My editorial work with More Than Food Magazine also feeds into this systems perspective, allowing me to connect insights from hospitality, media and education to inform strategy and innovation at SecretEATS. This holistic, interconnected approach ensures that every event delivers on multiple fronts: delighting guests, supporting partners, advancing the brand and creating positive community outcomes. Through this lens, I am able to interpret complexity, anticipate consequences and design solutions that balance multiple priorities. In so doing, demonstrating systems thinking and sense-making that drives SecretEATS’ continued growth, innovation and lasting impact. |
