He shared with us his passions (other than chicken, of course) for music and creativity.

After a couple of anecdotes about his early career in student government and political campaigning, he pulled out a bag full of interesting items (what he called his “leader kit”).

Out of the kit he pulled the following items and shared some leadership principles about each:

• Ear buds – If your ears aren’t popping from flying at 40,000 feet (high level) and picking up trash (low level) in parking lot continually, then you aren’t leading as you should be.
• Baton – You don’t win a relay by having the four fastest runners, but by having the team that carries the baton.
• Oxygen mask – As a leader you need to put your “mask” on first (take care of yourself).
• Orchestra baton – Leaders orchestrate remarkable experiences.
• Railroad spike – Leaders “stay on track.”
• Side towel – Real leaders serve.
• Jar of JIF peanut butter – With a jar of JIF, there is only one chance to smell the fresh aroma of peanuts (when you immediately open it). You need to “stay fresh” as a leader, observing current trends.
• Slinky – Without any tension, the slinky just sits there. A good leader embraces tension.

Dan spent the rest of his time talking about the leadership lessons we can learn from the Slinky:

1. Leaders go first. Going first is uncomfortable, but it’s what leaders need to do in order to lead. “If we only walk the first mile, then it’s a transaction. If we walk the second mile, it becomes a relationship.” Learn to take lessons outside of your industry (be a pioneer). Chick-Fil-A has the largest etiquette training program in the country, not by observing other fast food restaurants, but by learning from four-start hotels. “It’s not about assembling something new… it’s about combinations.”
2. Leaders develop followers. They intentionally endear themselves towards others. Leadership is about relationships and servanthood: “When we treat people with honor, dignity, and respect, we heal people’s hearts.” As a leader, be real and authentic. Stay closed to what you’re influencing; don’t be isolated. “Sleep with the troops.”
3. Followers become leaders. If you’re not spending your time as a leader developing other future leaders, then you’re missing the point.
   

Challenges/Takeaways:

1. Take a trip. Go travel and see some new things. Taste it, smell it, feel it. “Your future already exists today [somewhere else].”
2. Build a team by intentionally engaging in relationships.
3. Who is your successor? Start investing in your followers so that they can replace you.

- Randy Elrod, founder cre:ate & author Sex, Lies & Religion, Why I Wrote Sex, Lies & Religion

- Stephen Mansfield, speaker & author The Faith of George W. Bush, The Arts Pastor & The Senior Pastor Relationship

- Dan Cathy, President & COO of Chick-fil-A, How To Create Raving Fans the Chick-fil-A way

- Luci Swindoll, author & Women of Faith speaker *Ms. Swindoll appears courtesy of Women of Faith), Why I Love Art

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