Welcome to the Week... 3 Ways to A 'Positive Dictatorship'

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Within Fitlife Foods , we always say that "Elevating the way People Feel" to feed our customer’s journey is our North Star.

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While collaboration and consensus are often lauded as keys to success, they can often dilute the core of a company. I recently had the privilege of speaking with a highly successful entrepreneur who attributed their growth to an uncompromising standard—a deeply developed conviction that guided every decision they made and it forced me to go deeper.

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The Risk of Dilution

In business, it's crucial to trust your team leaders. The HR chief knows human resources; the controller knows the numbers; the operations manager knows how to run the show, and the chef knows recipe development. Each expert adds a unique flavor to the mix, but too many flavors can spoil the broth.

In some areas, the idea of building a consensus is appealing. However, when it comes to defining your brand's core attributes, sometimes being a 'dictator' of sorts is not just advisable—it's necessary. The vision that brought a brand to life needs to be nurtured and preserved, not altered in the name of collaboration.

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The Power of Conviction

Consider the story of Howard Schultz, the man behind 星巴克 . Schultz didn't invent coffee, but he reinvented how Americans consume it. When Schultz first proposed a European-inspired coffeehouse culture for Starbucks, the idea was initially met with skepticism. Coffee was something you brewed at home or grabbed at a diner, not something around which a community was built.

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Schultz was so firm in his convictions that he left a secure job and acquired Starbucks in a leveraged buyout. Critics were quick to call his idea outlandish, but Schultz's conviction led to a brand that didn't just sell coffee—it sold an experience. The aroma, the atmosphere, and even the Italian names for sizes were all parts of a carefully curated experience. Schultz's unyielding commitment to his vision has created a brand with a cult-like following.

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The Cost of Consensus

If Schultz had built Starbucks on consensus, we might have ended up with a watered-down version that looked more like a traditional fast-food outlet than a neighborhood gathering place. The lesson? Conviction, not consensus, is sometimes the cornerstone of an authentic brand.

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The Question of Conviction

So, what about you? Where does your expertise lie? In what area is your conviction so strong that you would risk your job or even the brand?

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As a leader, conviction isn't stubbornness; it's the profound understanding of your company's essence. It’s the audacity to stick to your vision, no matter how many people tell you it can't be done. After all, conviction is often the difference between a brand that stands the test of time and one that becomes watered down in a sea of mediocrity.

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It's not just about what you do, but why you do it. And if you know your 'why,' you'll have what it takes to lead with conviction.

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At Fitlife Foods we run our company on EOS Worldwide . Our company integrator and I spend a lot of time thinking about and executing with the team our well-aligned conviction around everything from product, to building emotional connections in our stores, to the touch points of home delivery. With these standards firmly entrenched, we will continue to develop a product and experience that will help our customers achieve the success they wish to achieve in life, which is ultimately our why.

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Practicing Positive Dictatorship: Where Conviction Meets Action

Here are three ways to exercise a 'positive dictatorship,' depending on your role in life:

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For Team Members

1. Own Your Projects: If you're responsible for a project, don't shy away from making key decisions. Research, deliberate, and then commit. Others may offer well-intended suggestions, but if they deviate from the project's core goals, don't hesitate to stick to your vision.

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2. Be the Advocate for Quality: Sometimes, meeting the minimum standard is the norm. However, if you believe that a higher standard must be met, make your case passionately. Challenge mediocrity and push for excellence.

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3. Speak Up in Meetings: If you strongly believe in a particular approach, don't hold back in team meetings. Vocalize your views clearly and back them up with well-prepared arguments. Your conviction can influence the direction of the project.

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For Company Leaders:

1. Guard the Company Culture: Company culture is often the first thing to get diluted as a business grows. There are certain non-negotiables in our culture and we will protect them fiercely.

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2. Decisive Strategic Planning: There will always be a plethora of advice on how to steer the company. I always say we take in advice like a strainer, we let some it stick and some of it fall right through. Be prepared to make bold and unilateral decisions that align with the long-term vision.

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3. Customer & Product Alignment: Our understanding of what the product should be and who it should serve is paramount. Don't dilute the product or the brand to cater to every piece of client feedback.

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… and lastly this thinking not only is important in business, but in the lives of many of us as parents or parents to be..

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For Parents:

1. Set Non-negotiable Values: In a family, values like honesty, respect, and kindness should be non-negotiable. Make it clear that these are not up for debate.

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2. The Parenting Plan: Whether it's screen time, nutrition, or discipline, have a firm plan and stick to it—even when it's tempting to take the easier route.

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3. Quality Time: In an age of constant distractions, the decision to spend undistracted quality time with your children is a 'dictatorial' move that yields immeasurable benefits.

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Conviction is a powerful leadership tool in every sphere of life—business, parenting, and personal development. When wielded thoughtfully, it creates a structure that allows for genuine growth and connection. Practice it wisely.?

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Feed Your Journey,

David