Often people cannot wait to lead, believing that it will finally allow them to get what they want. However, if you have ever been in leadership, any area, the church, a for-profit, or a non-profit organization you will recognize the untruth of this statement. If you have ever led a team you know that it is serve first, lead second.
Example of Service
Recently, I ate breakfast at Chick-fil-A. The food was delicious, and their uncommon and consistent customer service was excellent as usual. I bet you’ve eaten at a Chick-fil-A, and can almost guarantee you have had the same experience that exceeds expectations. In my company, we called this a Triple-EEE experience.
Did you know that the company generates more revenue per restaurant than any other fast-food chain, and they are only open six days a week? Why are they so successful and dominating fast food in an industry notorious for paying low wages?
They have chosen a growth strategy to invest in their employees with training AND development. In doing so, the employees know, “You care for me – you treat me like a real person!”
Chick-fil-A has learned a key principle in business “to serve; not to be served.”
Jesus exemplified this in his own ministry, when Israel was expecting deliverance from a conquering king coming to save them from Rome. We see Jesus express his intention of how he would lead his people when he says in Mark 10:45, “Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Working ON, While We Work In The Organization
Work ON the business while we work IN the 0rganization. – Bobby Albert
So, what is working ON, not just IN, the business? It involves a three-part growth strategy:
- Grow yourself
- Grow your people
- Grow your business
Every leader can develop a growth culture where people thrive and results soar by embracing the following seven benefits.
Training and Development
However, training AND development must start with YOU, as the leader (you cannot teach what you do not know), and then with your people before you can grow your business.
To grow your business, you must “first serve” your people with training AND development; then you can “lead second”.
Since training is quick and straightforward in how to do a job, most people learn the mechanics of their job very rapidly.
Training usually occurs in hours, days, or even months, but development always takes more time. You cannot rush development because it is a “process”. Whereas training is usually an “event” – something you can do once and then you are done.
7 Personal Training and Development Tips
The following are seven personal growth tips for training AND development for you, as the leader, and your people.
1. Become a better person
People feel that “you care for me,” that you are interested in them as a person, and you want to help them become a better person, a better mom or dad, a better friend, a better servant in the community when you are pursuing growth and helping them grow.
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
– Theodore Roosevelt
2. Maximize your potential
Create a learning environment, so I can do the best job. People and teams truly want to achieve and receive recognition for their achievements.
They sense that you see training AND development as an investment and not an expense. People avoid personal and professional stagnation by doing the same thing, at the same place, with the same people, hoping the same hopes, and never winning new victories.
“Leaders who consider others’ needs first are more likely to empower employees.”
–Matt Tenney
3. Anticipate explosive growth
Personal growth is not an automatic process. Nor is an organization’s growth. As you raise your effectiveness today, the greater chance you will be more effective tomorrow.
“In order to do more, I’ve got to be more.”
– Jim Rohn
4. Enjoy change
Once people are willing to change on the inside, they will not only accept organizational and market condition changes but seek them. For without change, there can be no growth.
5. Attract high achievers
When you develop a reputation to value personal growth in your organization, you will attract high achievers. Why? High achievers want to make a difference because they believe they have much to give.
6. Experience teamwork
Customers and suppliers (yes, even suppliers) will feel the impact of teamwork – excellence in communication, coordination, and cooperation among the team. Why? Team players want to and are motivated “to serve; not to be served.”
“Teamwork makes the dream work.”
– John C. Maxwell
7. Grow the business
People come to work each day with excitement, enthusiasm, and passion because you, as the leader, have earned these things. Now you are ready to “grow your business.”
Are you ready to set your business apart from the crowded marketplace? Then work ON, not just IN, the business with this three-phase growth strategy:
- Grow yourself
- Grow your people
- Grow your business
By the way, the next time you go to the Chick-fil-A drive-thru, and you say, “thank you,” the employee will always reply “my pleasure.”
The “my pleasure” policy instituted by the company founder, Truett Cathy, was inspired by a visit to the Ritz Carlton. When Cathy said, “thank you” to the man behind the counter, he responded, “my pleasure.”
Out of this exchange, Chick-fil-A’s novel idea was born: treat customers as if they’re at a luxury establishment. This model continues to distinguish Chick-fil-A from its competitors, highlighting the importance of the little ways you communicate with customers.
Have you found it difficult to lead your employees to deliver world-class results? Are you open to serve first, then lead second? What has been your experience at Chick-fil-A? Please share your thoughts <here>.
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