I See Everythying That Is Wrong!
I’m a critic by nature …
????I see everything that is wrong.?
?This article is part of a series recalling my journey …
???????From Critic to Encourager!
?I’m writing this because, if you are also a critic by nature, I am confident I can help you along on your own journey …
???????from critic to encourager.
Natural critical analysis skills are valuable to the operating executives of any organization.?I took full advantage of mine!
?Early in my career with Chick-fil-A, I wanted to be respected but … was not overly concerned with being liked.
?That attitude was fueled by the evils of favoritism that I had seen in previous places of employment.
?My objective was to use my natural critical skills to support the people who were “selling chicken.”?That was the restaurant franchisees, we called them Operators, and their employees.
?My method was, show people what they were doing wrong and how to fix it.?Nothing unusual about that, is there?
?It seemed like the best way to get people to do things … right!?
I failed to see the negative feeling that method left with the people I wanted to help.
?Cost control is essential to ensure that a business owner gets to enjoy the earnings of his/her business.
?I was serious about … cost control!
For example, I asked a Chick-fil-A Operator, I’ll call him Harry, if he wanted to experience a substantial increase in his income.?He assured me that he did.
?We set up a day for me to visit.?I stayed the entire day demonstrating how he could use my Profit Potential Evaluation process to increase his income.
Five months later, I received this note from Harry.
?Dear Jimmy,
?I don’t know if you remember your visit to my unit in February, but I sure do, because I was dreading it!
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?Now my attitude about staff visits has changed.?I did the things you showed me to do, and my year-to-date profit percentage has increased from 10.28% to 14.05% through May.?This is a 36.67% increase in profit percentage!
?I do appreciate your help.?I am enjoying my new car immensely.?
?I would like to invite you back next year for some additional suggestions on further increasing my profits, as I would also like to buy a new boat, and maybe next year after I could use a swimming pool!
Thanks again!
Harry
Yes, I could help Operators using my criticism skills, but something was missing.
?Even though I was getting positive results, I was leaving a negative impression.?
?I was seen as a critic not as … an encourager.
?Worse … at that time… I didn’t realize how much more effective I could become by …
?????changing … myself …
????????????from a critic to an encourager!
?When I finally decided to change myself … it was a life-changing experience.
?Watch for more articles on my journey …
??????From Critic to Encourager!
?You will be glad you do.
?--- Jimmy Collins
?Like ideas for your own stories? My latest book?Jimmy’s Stories?is available on Amazon.?
?Career advancing principles are in my book,?Creative Followership. Available on Amazon.
Helping Leaders Engage the Frontline to Improve the Bottom Line.? │ Author of 15 Books │ Leadership Speaker │ Cultural Transformation
1 年Good stuff Jimmy Collins!
Retired taking care of me
1 年Jimmy, cost containment! Yes I agree I can remember reiterating to napkins instead of a handful. It goes from every aspect of a daily business. My family and I were at a Chick-fil-A at the outlets mall over at Woodstock and they were having a question a day. The young lady at the window asked if you could do anything in your life and not have to worry about money. What would you do? And immediately I said I would go back to my Chick-fil-A job. I didn’t work there for a paycheck. I work there for the kids and for the customers. Each day when I entered the back door, I would say good morning kids and in unison they would say back. Good morning mama. I owe so much to Eddie Halliday for calling me and asking me to come and work for him. I would say Chick-fil-A is the best job for a young adult.
DNJETC
1 年Part of the problem many have, including myself, is being critical following the "Golden Rule": Treat Others How YOU Like to be Treated! It does not work! I like very direct, "brutally open/honest" communication; most don't. I found, perhaps too late, that when being critical you MUST communicate/treat the other person using the "Platinum Rule": Treat Other the Way THEY Like to be Treated!
Franchise Growth Strategist | Co-Producer of Franchise Chat & Franchise Connect | Empowering Brands on LinkedIn
1 年Jimmy, at 65 do I have time left to switch from critical to encouraging? Eeck.
Assistant Manager at Jason’s Deli - Beaumont
1 年Thank you for sharing. I always love reading stores of people that built the kind of company that we are striving to build. Can’t wait to see the next part of this!!