Here Are My Thoughts

Recently, I came across an article about Cheryl Bachelder, the former CEO of Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen and author of  the book Dare to Serve. The article talked about Bachelder’s leadership journey, and particularly about her time at Popeye’s. When she became the CEO in 2007, the company was in bad shape. They weren’t making money, the stock price had dropped by over $20 in the last 5 years, and the organization was simply in a perpetual state of chaos.

Fast forward 7 years, to 2014. Under Bachelder’s leadership, Popeye’s became profitable, substantially increased their market share, and saw their stock price more than double. How did that happen? From what I read, it had everything to do with how bosses treated their employees. From the very top of the organization to the bottom, Popeye’s became intentional about how the treated and lead their people. They valued them, invested in them, held them to high standards, and helped them thrive-which, in turn, helped the organization thrive.

But here’s the thing. None of that would have happened if someone, somewhere, hadn’t decided that those people were worth it. Worth the value. Worth the investment. Worth the time. Cheryl Bachelder could have come in, took a look at the people around her, and had a very different attitude. She could have become demeaning, bossy, insensitive, and impatient with them. After all, they had run the company into the ground, so it wouldn’t have been entirely undeserved. But she didn’t do that-and look what happened. Cheryl Bachelder believed in those around her, and it paid off in a big way. 

And that, right there is the lesson in all of this. Every day, we have the same choice Cheryl Bachelder did-we can either believe in those around us, or choose not to. We can either see all the reasons they could be great, or all the reasons they’ll never be great. We can either commit to helping people become what they never believed they could be, or reaffirm all the doubts they already have about themselves. Regardless of who you are or what you do-this is your choice. And the way you decide to go has an incredible impact on those you interact with.

See, I’m convinced that believing in other people, even when they don’t believe in themselves, is one of the most effective ways to positively impact the world. I think that anyone can do things they never thought possible, as long as someone else believes in its possibility for them. 

This is what has happened in my life. Other than being brought up in a Christian home, I think it’s the single greatest blessing I’ve ever received. From birth, I’ve always had people who believed positive things about me that I didn’t believe about myself. I think about my family, friends, certain mentors I’ve had, people I’ve worked with-all of them, to one degree or another, have believed IN me, FOR me. And I can say with full confidence that any influence or impact I’ve had would be non-existent without them. They’ve inspired me, encouraged me, motivated me, and bettered me. They’ve opened my eyes to what I could do, and who I could be. And they’ve made me want to do that same thing for others. I don’t always get it right, and still, too often, I’m overly critical and dismissive. But when I do this well, I see the difference it can make.

So I guess my question is, who can you do this for? Who, in your life right now, could use someone to believe in them? Is it a family member? An employee? A friend?

I don’t know who it is for you, but I do know this-their life, and your life, will be better because you choose to believe in them, even when they couldn’t believe in themselves.

What impact could you make on those around you simply by believing in them?

Brett

P.S. Thank you to all of you who have believed in me over the years. You know who you are, and I hope you know the impact you’ve had.