The Power of the Unexpected
Earlier this year, April and I had the opportunity to travel to Argentina. Per a recommendation by one of our friends, Juan Padro, we made a stop at Florería Atlántico, which was named one of the world’s 50 best bars.
Even though we knew we were going to a speakeasy, we still walked up and down the block after getting out of our Uber, trying to find the entrance. Finally, we stepped into a flower shop, that also appeared to double as a liquor store. Greeted by the scent of fresh flowers, we were welcomed in and invited to look around.
April Lambatos taking in the scent of fresh flowers
When we asked about having a drink, the employee smiled and led us to the back of the shop to an old refrigerator door. We followed through the door, down a staircase, and into a beautiful bar below, where we had a round of incredible drinks.
Anthony Lambatos, April Lambatos and Stephanie Zemler enjoying a world-class craft cocktail
Our brains are trained to look for patterns. They scan our past experiences and make predictions based on what we’ve seen before. But truly memorable experiences happen when we are introduced to something unexpected — when someone surprises us by going beyond the predictable.
That moment in Argentina — stepping through a flower shop and ending up in a world-class cocktail bar — left a lasting impression. It reminded me that creativity, and the courage to do something different, creates moments that stick with people long after the experience is over.
In our work, especially in hospitality and leadership, we often focus on consistency — and rightly so. But the element of surprise is an underrated tool. Whether it’s a thoughtful gesture for a team member, an unexpected delight for a client, or a creative twist in a routine meeting, these moments disrupt expectations and build emotional connection.
What made Florería Atlántico so remarkable wasn’t just the unexpected entrance — it was the fact that the creativity was matched by world-class service and expertly crafted drinks. The surprise captured our attention, but the quality earned our admiration. Without that balance, the experience wouldn’t have had the same lasting impact.
This week, think about where you can inject creativity or surprise into your leadership.
What’s one small, delightful, or unexpected thing you can do that might just create a lasting memory for someone on your team or one of your customers?
Keep MIBE-ing!
Anthony Lambatos
Founder, MIBE Hospitality Culture Training
Owner, Footers Catering
P.S. Want to go beyond the predictable? Join us at our MIBE Heart Leadership Workshop in August.
