From Critic to Encourager!
“I Don’t Need Anyone to Tell Me …
????????What I Am Doing Right.”
?I liked the title of Rex Halsey’s presentation.
?In the early days of Chick-fil-A, at the annual Operator’s Seminar, each Operator (franchisee) would speak, either to the entire audience of attendees or in one of the workshop breakouts.
On Wednesday, February 20, 1980, we were at The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. ?As always, I was looking forward to the Operator presentations.?Their speeches gave me valuable insights into their thinking.?I wanted to know what was on their minds.
I was especially interested in the presentation of Rex Halsey, one our pioneer Operators. I liked the title he had chosen for his assigned subject, Prepare for Staff Visits.?
His title was …
I Don’t Need Anyone to Tell Me …
???????What I Am Doing Right
?He had described my attitude … exactly!
?When I heard his title, I thought …
??????“Yeah!?You tell ‘em, Rex!”
?I am a critic by nature and see everything that is wrong.?And … in those early days I was not hesitant about pointing out what was wrong, and I expected that corrections be made …and made promptly.
Rex began by recalling one of my visits to his restaurant.
Then … he delivered … to me … the Message.
?“Jimmy came and spent two days telling me everything I was doing wrong.”
?“Then he went back to the home office and wrote me a three page letter repeating all of it …
???????plus … everything he had forgotten to tell me.”
I was stunned!
?????Is that how he remembers my visit?
It is not possible for me to describe …
??????the emotion that …
??????????overwhelmed my spirit!
My mind was racing …
????????Is this how all Operators view me?
I’m depending on them.?My performance is determined by their cooperation.?I need their support.
??????I must change!
Rex’s speech was presented skillfully and tactfully.?He urged Operators to expect me, and the rest of the home office staff to point out and help them with the things they were … not doing right. ?
Is this how I am teaching the staff to help Operators?
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????I must change!
Is this how I am teaching my family?
????I must change!
Rex had an ability that I truly appreciated.?He could be a truth-teller without being a feelings-hurter.
By the time he finished his 30 minute presentation, I knew I had to change and …
????I resolved that I would change!
Later, I pondered how Rex described me as a critic, but he never mentioned the word … critic.?Of course, I realize I am a critic by nature.?
Criticism is negative!
I wanted to be positive!?
????I needed to become an … encourager.
I resolved …
?????I am going to change …
???????????From a Critic to an Encourager!
That day Rex Halsey delivered me a Divine message …
???“Jimmy you must change …
?????????From Critic to Encourager!”
Thankfully, later I was able to tell Rex how thankful I am for the message he delivered to me that day.
This article is one of the stories of my journey …
??????From Critic to Encourager!
I am still on that journey.?My expectation was that it would be difficult and burdensome.
It has turned out to be …
?????a wonderful and joyful journey!
Would you like to join me?
I will be posting my stories from time to time.
???They may give you some ideas.
?--- Jimmy Collins
Like ideas for your stories? My latest book?Jimmy’s Stories?is available on Amazon: https://a.co/5wfFRaK
Career advancing principles are in my book,?Creative Followership. Available on Amazon: https://a.co/gu8jeFE
Storyteller - Executive Producer Head of Unscripted Content & Development
1 年Compelling perspective. Thanks for sharing !
Executive Director, Benefits, Payroll & Mobility Solutions at Chick-fil-A Corporate
1 年Thank you for sharing this lesson in encouraging! Something I'm definitely leaning into and also passing onto my team.
DNJETC
1 年A truth-teller without being a feeling-hurter?.....a very special personality. Very, very difficult to do as most folks now a days have onion skin.
Restaurant Operations
1 年Thank you! This is encouraging in itself. Everyone will always have opportunities for improvement. We are not perfect. But, how the message gets to the team will make the difference. A happy team will get you better long lasting results. Thanks Jimmy!
Franchise Growth Strategist | Co-Producer of Franchise Chat & Franchise Connect | Empowering Brands on LinkedIn
1 年Jimmy Collins, some people are very hard on themselves, too. Does that describe you, or you at an earlier time? (Too bad Rex's talk wasn't taped, I would have liked to have heard that delivery.)