"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." So goes the old adage about intense pressure environments, especially in the hospitality industry.

Recent reports globally have highlighted the mental health challenges many face while working in the sector, including the pressure cooker of high-end kitchens. 

TV shows have also dialled up the heat, historically portraying aggression and abuse as commonplace parts of the hospitality industry. 

But, are times changing? 

On 'the mentl space' we're joined by Naim Maadad, CEO and founder of Gates Hospitality in the UAE, who is on a mission to create a better way, one based on a foundation of respect, psychological safety and empowerment. 

And, amid multiple reports of soaring burnout, he has a message for fellow CEOs who fail to change their recipe for leadership.