Leading Realities

Filling My Kindle

As a result of "My Monday Morning Ritual"  here is what could be filling my Kindle in the next few weeks:

"In Between" Leadership

Being involved in a college ministry mentoring session last week reminded me of some of my fondest and in many ways most defining volunteering experiences when I served as the leader of programming/producing an on campus mid-week college gathering at the University of Hawaii.  It was during that time the staff advisor gave me this bit of advice that has stuck with me for close to 20 years – “It is the ministry or service that takes place after the service that is often most meaningful.”  Over the years this has proven to be through many times over where it was not the designed efforts that had the greatest impact, but rather the casual and informal moments that took place afterwards.

In leadership I like to call this “in between leadership.”  Because it is often in between services at church or in between sessions at a leadership conference where the following occurs …

• A point made in a session gains greater clarity while discussing it amongst peers.
• A new potential leader or future employee is met
• An aha moment is discovered
• An associate opens up and becomes transparent for the first time
• A birthing of a new initiative takes form

So I hope you are prodded to take advantage of thein between moments because that is often where leadership occurs

Chick-fil-A -- They get "it" and have "it!"

We have heard the term "it" being referenced to someone or an organization to describe some unexplainable intangible that makes them standout.  For example in reference to New York Yankees Short Stop Derek Jeter's contribution to the team we might say, "He just has it!"

Another example of "it' is Chick-fil-A where on any regular visit the two words you hear the most is "my pleasure" in response to any request you might have.  Well today is another shining example of how great this restaurant is!  We just got back from a late lunch where our family of four had 4 chicken sandwiches, 1 order of 8 chicken nuggets, 2 small order of fries, 2 small drinks and a large shake (their shakes are the best by far by the way!) all for under $10. 

How is this so?

Well on this Labor Day, and I assume on most holidays restaurants are slower than normal with most people barbequing or going to the park or beach, Chick-fil-A had a promotion where by wearing a favorite sports team shirt you received a free chicken sandwich no other purchased required.  In addition if you wanted lettuce, tomato and cheese on the sandwich which normally requires an extra charge that was also free.   Being a Monday the Eastlake (San Diego County) location has an on-going promotion of getting a free order of nuggets with the purchase of a large shake.

Not only did these promotions increase there business -- the place was packed!, but it also benefits families, especially in this economy, where they can get a great meal at a great price.  Chick-fil-A continues to impress me with this promotion as it just followed another  promotion last Tuesday where whatever you ordered can be redeemed sometime in October for free by bringing in your receipt.

In particular the location we frequent the Eastlake one operated by Mandy Medlin tha continually offers impecable service and it is my pleasure to be a loyal customer.