Back around 1996 I got a used Honda Accord. I loved it. Quick, sporty, great fuel mileage, sunroof... But then one morning on the way to work, it stopped. I was still a couple miles from the mall I was working at and I was the opening manager. I was the only one with keys that would be showing up that morning. No cell phones back then. I'm quickly doing the math. How long will it take me to walk to the store?? I was going to need to run. Fortunately, I was wearing "street clothes" which meant my uniform wasn't going to get sweaty during the run BUT it meant I had to run with a duffel bag. The good news. I had time. Whatever my schedule said, I always planned to get to CFA at least 20-30 minutes early. Quite a few reasons for this but on this day the only reason that mattered was it gave me options so I could still get to work and open the store on time even though my car wasn't going to make it with me.
I wish I could say I ran to work up hill in the snow with no shoes and in 40 MPH wind but the truth is right as I began the trek from my car to the store a guy stopped and offered me a ride. This was 25 years ago, I was a fairly fit guy and I sized up the person offering me the ride and made the calculated risk that the offer was a good option. (Do not try this at home). The benefit of the ride was that I still made it to the mall before the rest of our team was scheduled to arrive and I had time to focus on my responsibility to get the store open even though my car didn't get there with me
When people ask how I got the opportunity to become a CFA operator, this is how. Back then, leadership wasn't a word we used much. The business was much smaller. Much simpler. Operators did much of what our leadership team now does. But, the foundation of leadership of others is leadership of your self. I led myself well. I ensured I always showed up. That's critical. The most talented player on a team has no value when they don't show up. The value is only realized on the field, in the game. The second part is I did what I agreed to do. Say it, Do it. Its certainly easier said than done but its often the simple difference between those that accomplish their goals and those that don't. Show up and do what you agreed to do.
When CFA offered me the opportunity to own a CFA location it wasn't because I was the smartest. I wasn't dumb but there were lots more intelligent than me. Not because I was the most talented. I wasn't unskilled but there were lots with more talent than me. Not because I was the friendliest. Ya'll know me... It was because they trusted me to Show Up and Do What I Said I Would Do. And, that's still true. At the end of all this, leadership adds capacity but opportunity begins with showing up and doing what you said you would do.
This is so easy to talk about but in real life it can be difficult. Over 6 years as a team member, I was late twice (no more than 10 minutes total) and I missed 1 day (mom made me call out because I had stayed home from school). There were plenty of excuses that I could have used BUT I am confident that if I had used the excuses most people use I wouldn't have been given the opportunity that few people get. Track records open and close doors. Excuses only close doors.
How did I get the opportunity to own a CFA? I showed up. Every day. I did what I said. Every day. You can choose to do this as well. You don't need some crazy talent or award winning smile. The people that have those often call out. Just show up and you'll pass most of the competition. Then, do what you committed to and you'll pass the rest of the competition. Very few people show up every day AND do what they committed to every day.
Say it, Do it.
