Sometime near my 10th year as operator we had some folks from CFA visiting the store and one introduced me as a "really good numbers operator". They meant it as a compliment but that comment stuck with me and not in a good way. Why did they qualify their statement with "numbers"? Why not just "really good operator"? I began studying what it would mean to be a good, well rounded, operator and committed to growing into that.
Fast forward to last week. At our CFA gathering in California I was talking with a couple people and one introduced me as "a really good operator". I immediately recalled that introduction 10+ years ago and the comment stuck with me... and not in a good way.
A "good operator" runs a complete business. Culture, numbers, results... But, why did they qualify the statement with "operator"? I'm sure they meant well. But, I know operators that when I introduce them I wouldn't limit their introduction to "operator". He is a great person. A tremendous influence. A caring person. An impactful leader. A good and faithful servant. Sure they are also a "good operator" but that's not even close to capturing who they are.
10 years ago I was introduced as a "good numbers operator". Last week I was introduced as a "good operator". Tomorrow I hope to be introduced as a good and faithful servant.
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