Ep 141 – Chick-fil-A’s Cliff Robinson on Valuing People and Offering Excellent Products and Services

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SUMMARY 

Recently, GLN CEO & President David Ashcraft sat down with Cliff Robinson, Executive VP and “Chief People Person” at Chick-fil-A. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to sit in a room with an experienced, high-level leader and listen to them share practical experience and wisdom, this is a great episode to dive into!  Cliff discusses how the Chick-fil-A is able to place such a high value on people while simultaneously maintaining a high standard of product and customer service. Cliff also shares about the role of innovation at Chick-fil-A, and some techniques he personally leverages to maintain his effectiveness as he leads.  

 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

  • How did Cliff get started at Chick-fil-A, and how did his career progress? 
  • How did he keep going when he encountered difficult times?
  • How do you create community for 250,000 employees?
  • What’s the value proposition of building community in a business?
  • How does Cliff define “circles”? Is a circle comprised of similar roles, or does it transcend roles?
  • How does thinking of your team as family impact employee transitions, particularly separations?
  • What is Cliff’s “Three Buckets” approach to dealing with situations, and how does he use it?
  • Where and how does innovation factor into Chick-fil-A?
  • How does Cliff prioritize his week?
  • How does he recharge?  

  

LISTEN 

 Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube 

 

STANDOUTS AND TAKEAWAYS 

  • Ideally, people help the business grow, and the business helps people grow.  
  • People are always the most important, but you can never lose sight of the fact that the customer is giving you money for certain brand distinctives.  
  • There is power in offering great product and services, while at the same time remaining in the people business.  
  • Our world draws lines and separates people, but there’s tremendous benefit if we can bring people together in relational circles and find common ground.  
  • If you look at every person as bringing unique strengths and capabilities, and if you can mesh them in a team, and let people learn from each other, the business will be better.  
  • Anything in your life can be placed in one of three buckets: things you can control, things you cannot control, and things you can influence. 
  • Living in the bucket of things you cannot control results in fear and worry.  
  • Things that you can influence usually lie closer to someone else’s control bucket. Your role is usually to come alongside and help.  
  • Allow as much freedom as you can, but also be very clear on what needs to be consistent within the company.  
  • Leaders should prioritize knowing themselves.  

 

LINKS MENTIONED 

 

THIS EPISODE SPONSORED BY:  

The post Ep 141 – Chick-fil-A’s Cliff Robinson on Valuing People and Offering Excellent Products and Services appeared first on Global Leadership Network.

 

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