Most companies host Board retreats or executive-level gatherings to develop their vision and goals and to establish a strategic plan for how to implement them. This is often a time of reflection on what has made the company successful over a period of time as well as on the areas where the company needs to experience growth or change. In doing this, the highest-level directors ultimately set the tone for the company’s culture based on what is decided in these meetings.
But what about everyone else within the organization? When are they being heard? When are they being developed as leaders?
What Is Wildsparq Chick-fil-A
At Wildsparq, we believe that everyone within the walls of a business should be able to offer feedback and contribute to the establishment of a healthy work culture. Everyone from the CEO to the college intern should have the opportunity to be developed as a leader. With a clear strategy for developing every individual, companies will benefit from a higher retention rate as well as more engaged employees.
Out of that need, Wildsparq’s leadership development platform came to life. We believe it’s an invaluable tool for establishing an excellent work culture where your employees thrive and grow as leaders who are heard around the table. Obviously, we feel this way…we designed it!
But don’t take our word for it! Take a look at some of the impact statements written by Chick-fil-A Operators and employees from across the country. You can see how they have taken the lessons learned and applied them to their day-to-day work life, to their professional and personal relationships, and to their growth as leaders.
LEADERS READY!
The Impact of Wildsparq Chick-fil-A
Integrity
Kathy, Chick-fil-A Mishawaka Main Street
As an organization, integrity isn’t simply doing business in such a way as not to be indicted. It has to mean more than that. If you seek to do the right things in a reliable way, your ethics and systems have to be connected. They must be integrated. When they are, as an organization you dramatically increase the likelihood of happy customers and profitable results (not to mention fewer lawsuits).
Leadership
Eric, Chick-fil-A Sunset Hills
Leadership is like being a parent, putting the needs of someone else before yourself. Deadlines don’t bond people, camaraderie does! When leaders create a safe environment, then people will do their best and success follows. Leaders in the military always eat last – it’s not a rule, it’s a responsibility of leadership. Leadership is a choice just like becoming a parent – choosing to put other people’s needs before your own is a choice. The vision and mission inspire, and then the workers have a responsibility, too, tied to that mission.
Owning Your Role Within the Team
Nick, Chick-fil-A Ontario Mills Parkway
This lesson helped me identify how I can improve the way I impact our team. It was helpful for me to examine my job and how it affects the business as a whole, and to be able to relay that to each team member and teach them to understand the role they play on this team within the “bigger picture.” If we continue to practice the 5 P’s in our everyday work habits, we can really make a huge impact on the efficiency of our store.
Understanding Someone’s Story
Courtney, Chick-fil-A Pasadena Crossroads
This lesson shed some light on things that we don’t normally think about in our busy lives. It’s hard to take a step back and think about the reasons behind others’ actions as opposed to how their actions affect you. Understanding someone’s “story” can help create a better relationship and understanding with that person, and at least in a work setting, it will create a more efficient team.
Managing Conflict
Hayley, Chick-fil-A Cumberland
This lesson has shown me the real approach and follow-through I should have when two people have a conflict. I have been in this situation many times and I think that for the future, I am going to be better prepared. I always just went with whatever I thought would be best, but this seems a lot more practical and more effective.
Company Culture
Jarrod, Chick-fil-A Glenmary
A good culture permeates through every area of your business from employees to customers and the service each of them gives and receives. If you are not constantly striving for good company culture, employees become unhappy and won’t work as hard or be as willing to assist customers.
Relationships
Nikia, Chick-fil-A Southlake
This lesson really made me think of how my actions affect others. I want to be a good example to those I lead, and in doing so, I have to be aware of situations that can make me act without thinking. I have to be able to be more relational with my team and leaders and be more intentional in my actions.
Having the Hard Conversation
Yolanda, Chick-fil-A Parkside Town Commons
The most valuable impact for me was the dialogue guide. This gives you valuable steps in dealing with the hard conversation – kind of like the do’s and don’ts of having a difficult conversation. I saved it to use for future conversations.
If you find yourself needing to reassess your company’s culture and want to see what Wildsparq Chick-fil-A is all about, please contact us for a free demo! We’d love to walk you through exactly how it works and answer any questions you might have.
And if you are a Chick-fil-A Operator – Please join us at NEXT! Swing by our booth so we can speak with you in person and show you how valuable Wildsparq can be for you and your employees!
Want to read more about the FireSeeds and Wildsparq journey to NEXT? Check out last week’s blog by Billy Ivey.