Bigger, Faster!

I've been reading and studying some stories from Chick-fil-A's founder, Truett Cathy. There's some great leadership principles to be learned from him, and here's one that I wanted to share.

In the 1990's they had their first real competition in their specific market, so the corporate leaders started thinking how they were going to face this competetion. They were meeting in Atlanta and all of these younger guys were talking about what they needed to do to get "bigger, faster" - borrow more money, open more stores, etc. - bigger, faster - bigger, faster - was the main thought. Finally Truett banged on the table (which was unusual) and said "we don't need to worry about getting bigger, faster - we just need to worry about getting BETTER. When we get better, our customers will demand we get bigger." Let that sink in and rumble around some. "When we get better, our customers will demand we get bigger."

If we are leading a business, or a football team, or a class at school, or even a church, there's a message there for us. You make it the best it can be, and the growth will take care of itself. Thanks Mr. Cathy!

Obviously, that has nothing to do with Panama other than I have more time than normal, and I get to blog about anything I choose, so that is your first message from Panama today.

The following videos are about Panama. I've been watching how much of a difference in the ocean there is when the "tide is in" and when the "tide is out". It goes from a beautiful view of blue water to an ugly site of mud and rock. The following videos show the two "tide" times.

PS - I know you are craving a Chick-fil-A sandwich, now that I got your mind on it, so go get you one today. And as you take that first, delicious bite, say "thanks" to Truett for making his place better, not just bigger. (If you are really craving some "better", you might give the manager the signal for one of those delicious hand-spun milkshakes - he'll know what you signaling.)