Growing Pains“It is fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.” -Bill Gates
There is not one human on earth who is immune to failure. Sure, living life under the radar, not taking any risks may result in less failure, but no great man or woman ever “played it safe” when it came to their journey of success. At my job, there is one person in particular, who started off under the radar, not taking risks and simply trying to get by, but took his inadequacy and used it as motivation to be the best version of himself. Meet Ricky. The quiet, straight-faced 18 year old. Starting his very first job at Chick-fil-A in February of 2016. Although Ricky had the hard work ethic, he didn't have the “Chick-fil-A persona.” Cheery, enthusiastic, chicken-loving folks who have a passion for serving and building connections. This is Chick-fil-A. So… how does a timid, first-time employee learn to embody this Chick-fil-A character? Well, Ricky stepped out of his comfort zone. Living 18 years as an introverted talk-oriented person, Ricky had to muster up the courage to change who he had always been. Rather than backing away from the challenge, Ricky embraced it. Mustering up the courage and confidence to become the extroverted, “people person” that Chick-fil-A needed him to be. Once the straight-faced 18 year-old who was comfortable being an introvert, became a 2-time employee of the month, being promoted from team member to trainer, and from trainer to supervisor. Ricky embodies what it means to succeed. Because success isn't starting at the top and staying there. Success is starting from the bottom, facing adversity, and using your weaknesses to motivate you. After persistence, hard work and a determined spirit, anything can be accomplished. Ricky is just one of the many team members who has shown his grit. The undying spirit to achieve, lead and succeed. This, is Chick-fil-A.
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Go For GoldThe gold standard…… What is it?
Once used to measure the value of actual gold, the “gold standard” these days typically means having high standards. But…. what does that look like? Im going to give you two scenarios. You decide for yourself which one reflects the “gold standard.” Scenario 1. Sam is having a bad day. He comes into work, forgetting his name tag and his belt. He hastily clocks-in 6 minutes late. Although Sam is late for work, his managers turn a bind eye and thank him for merely showing up. Scenario 2. Sam is having a bad day. He comes into work, forgetting his name tag and his belt. Before Sam can even clock-in, his manager tells him to stay in the back and use the spare name tag and belt. Sam also gets a stern warning about being 6 minutes late, and knows that next time will be a write-up. In scenario 1, Sam eventually becomes comfortable being a few minutes late every day… he feels entitled because he has been working there for a long time. The company Sam works for has low standards. Therefore, the company will continue to hire people like Sam. In scenario 2, Sam knows that he will be written-up if he’s late again. Sam also knows that he will be reprimanded if he forgets part of his uniform again. Sam eventually becomes more punctual in all aspects of his life. Sam also makes sure to keep his uniform in his car, so he will never forget it again. Moral of the story, having high-standards molds your employees into responsible and organized young adults. Because the gold-standard is simple, expect and accept only the best. Have high standards for yourself and you’ll never forget your belt again. Love At First SightWith Valentines day right around the corner, it only seems appropriate to talk about the things we love.
Chicken Nuggets The only thing better than crispy, warm Chick-fil-A nuggets, is FREE crispy, warm Chick-fil-A nuggets. Imagine getting free Chick-fil-A every time you work! This is just one of the many benefits of working at Chick-fil-A! Sundays Off Along with free food, Chick-fil-A gives you an automatic day off every week. Have a big science project due Monday? Don't even worry about scheduling off… Chick-fil-A has done it for you! Whether your Sunday’s are spent studying or spending time with your family, no job should interfere with the truly important things in life. Staying Fit What better way to work off those chicken nuggets than to go to the gym? At Chick-fil-A, we offer FREE gym memberships at Crunch™ and Planet Fitness™! So don't worry, your belt will always fit. This year, let Chick-fil-A be your valentine. Opportunities Beyond the PaycheckMost know Chick-fil-A for their delectable chicken nuggets and lighting-fast service.
What most don't see is the group of people working their very hardest behind the scenes to make these amazing things possible. I think we can ALL agree it feels good to be appreciated. Contrary to most jobs these days, at Chick-fil-A, hard-work does NOT go unnoticed. From a free gym membership to $25,000 in scholarship opportunities each year, Chick-fil-A truly gives back to their team members. In addition, Chick-fil-A has given me amazing resume experience and friendships that will last a lifetime. The experience and knowledge gained from working at Chick-fil-A is priceless. The additional benefits that come along with it are just the icing on the cake. Because hard-work deserves recognition. My job notices my hard work. Wouldn't you like a job that sees yours too? We Are Family!Family.
Not something everyone is blessed with, but those who are, have likely been impacted by them. Don't worry, I'm not talking about your in-laws. I'm talking about Chick-fil-A. Here at Chick-fil-A, we are family. We work together, laugh together, learn together. The Chick-fil-A family is one that molds you into a stronger version of yourself. A version that never shy’s away from life’s tribulations, but faces them head-on, all while keeping a smile on your face. You see, this Chick-fil-A family is not one you are born into. It’s not an elite group of people with tons of things in common. It’s people from all different backgrounds with all different life experiences, coming together to serve the community. Being a member of this family has changed the way I do things. I am no longer a sleep in until 10 kind of person, I am a get up at 8 and start my day kind of person. I am more efficient in the way I do my chores , study for college, and focus in class. My Chick-fil-A family has molded me into a better version of myself. It is because of this, that we truly are more than just a restaurant, we are a family. One that is constantly improving, never perfect, but ALWAYS driven to serve. Nobody's PerfectIf I told you working at Chick-fil-A was a walk in the park, I’d be lying to you.
To be “happy all the time” is simply impossible. Speaking from my own experience, there have been (many) times where I’ve messed up. To give some examples of my clumsiness, here are a list of things I have “messed up” on while working at Chick-fil-A:
Despite these silly mistakes, my leaders never stopped believing in me. Never ONCE doubted me. Because of this, I grew. More than I EVER thought possible. I learned to laugh at my mistakes and learn from them rather than dwell on them. I learned that not every day is going to be your best. But with the right people encouraging you and that little voice inside saying “DON’T GIVE UP,” you can achieve anything! Teamwork Makes the Dream WorkGrowing up, I had always wanted to be part of a team… being someone who was born delicate (a nicer way to say un-athletic), I had always admired people who were part of a team.
With that in mind, you can only imagine the excitement I felt when I heard the words “Welcome to the Chick-fil-A team!” for the first time. It wasn’t until I actually started working at Chick-fil-A that I realized just what the word “team” actually means. “Team” is not a title you give to a group of people. It’s not strictly a term that applies to sports… Being on a team means working together efficiently and positively towards a common goal. Our common goal is to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A. With hard working people who share this common goal, you WILL succeed. Unlike me, you’ve probably been on a team before Chick-fil-A... But one thing’s for sure, you've never been on a team quite like this. What It Means To Lead“Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.” -John Maxwell When you think of a job promotion, two words probably come to mind. Money and power. While money and power are technically part of becoming a “boss,” many people allow that to become their primary motivation for success. This is a recipe for failure. The arrogant, demanding, power-hungry boss. Everyone knows one… Restaurants, courthouses, hidden in their 5x5 cubicles… The authoritarian-style “leadership” is everywhere. Luckily, at Chick-fil-A, you don't have to deal with a big, scary boss. At Chick-fil-A, that simply does not exist. Leaders are your friends. There to build you up rather than tear you down. Although they won’t bake you a cake when you’ve had a bad day, (that’s what grandmas are for), they will be watching from a distance… always giving suggestions and expecting the very best from you. Because a leader isn’t someone who gives commands. It’s someone who genuinely wants to make you better. The leaders at Chick-fil-A recognize your potential… Do you? Our Culture at Chick-fil-A“Whatever you do… put your heart and soul into it!" -Truett Cathy
What’s one thing all Chick-fil-A employees have in common? Well, If you’ve ever stepped foot inside of one, you’ve probably noticed how all of the team members seem SO cheerful. But… why are these people so happy? What makes them happier than people working at other restaurants? I mean… it IS hard work? Isn’t it??? It was all such a mystery to me….. After getting in the groove of things at my new job, I had solved the mystery. Chick-fil-A’s culture is joy. Joy to serve, grow, lead, and learn. For example, Its amazing how the little things can have such a positive impact on people…. I handed a guest three Chick-fil-A sauces the other day and you wouldn't believe the look he gave me…Pure joy! It’s amazing what some good sauce (served with a side of enthusiasm) can do! Ultimately, when you think of serving people as a privilege rather than a job, you learn to appreciate the little things. (Like the smile on your guest’s face when you give him his precious Chick-fil-A sauce. ) Ask Yourself: Who would ever want to work somewhere that lacks enthusiasm? Somewhere that uses negative reinforcement? If you don’t exude joy and excitement at a place you spend the majority of your time, WHY are you there?! In short, when serving the guest is not treated as a “task” (like most jobs), but as a privilege, It then becomes a pleasure. Our pleasure! First Day On The Job: Chick-fil-A EditionRemember your first day on the job? Anxiety. Self doubt. And everyone appears so professional, so confident and so poised! As a mere 19 year old college student, I just wanted to fit in. I wanted to impress the leaders. After three days of thorough training, I felt like a rockstar. Building personal connections with my team members and serving guests like a pro! The register, the speed, the high standards… I nailed them! My confidence skyrocketed. I succeeded. Although the regular guests still knew me as the “new girl,” the team made me feel like I’ve been there for years! Encouraging me throughout the day, making me feel welcome and at home… like I belonged. The overall culture of Chick-fil-A rubs off on every team member and guest that comes to our restaurant. Our mission to improve the community with kindness and quality is something so much more than a job. Working at Chick-fil-A has brought out the superstar in me. The opportunities to lead and grow prove that there’s a superstar in all of us. It just takes hard work and the right people to find it. |
About the AuthorCaroline Burt is a communications major at Palm Beach State college. She has been working for Chick-fil-A in Palm Beach Gardens for 1 year. When she's not working or studying, she enjoys traveling, photography, and eating good food! Caroline's passion for writing combined with her enthusiasm for Chick-fil-A inspires her to write this blog! Archives
July 2018
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