“We should be about more than just selling chicken: we should be a part of our customers’ lives and the communities in which we serve.”
S Truett Cathy
When Truett Cathy returned to America after serving in World War II, he opened a diner in Atlanta named “Dwarf Grill”, later renamed to the Dwarf House in 1946. Twenty years later he invented the Chicken Sandwich, and then in 1967, he opened the first Chick-fil-A. From here the story is history. Chick-fil-A spread across the nation, now numbering over 2,300 restaurants, greeting customers six days a week with their warm smiles and “my pleasure”(s).
Besides creating a successful chicken restaurant franchise, Truett Cathy laid principles in service that continue to drive Chick-fil-A’s superior customer service that is recognized with awards every year.
Truett was also a teacher, teaching Sunday school for over fifty years, and writing five books that explored topics such as parenting, business, and wealth. He was recognized with the President’s Call to Service award in 2008, along with several other recognitions for his teachings and philanthropic efforts.
Luckily, I had a chance to meet with him before he passed away in 2014.
Meeting Truett Cathy
I was visiting the Chick-fil-A corporate office on a family vacation, and as we were leaving, Truett walked in. I was nine at the time, so Truett was still coming into the office every day, even into his late 80s. My mother stopped him and asked if we could have a quick photo with the two boys (my brother and I).
Besides just taking a photo, Truett took the time to share some life lessons with us.
He asked me my name, “Joseph”, I squeaked out.
Truett said, “Joseph is a good, strong name. Remember, no matter what happens in life, nothing is more important than your good name. That means honoring your word, always doing what is right, and following through with your responsibilities.”
The lesson focuses on always remembering the importance of having a good reputation, and remember what it takes to foster that reputation.
Key Take-Away
- Having a reputation built on honesty, reliability, and hard work is one of the most important aspects of life. Your reputation is the foundation upon which you create all other aspects of your life on. Be it in your family, career, or any other endeavor, your reputation matters.
Action Item
Assess how you think your reputation is right now? How can you continue to work on fostering a positive reputation with others? Both for your professional and personal life.
