We Can Learn From Chick-Fil-A:
Leadership 101 is that in order to establish a culture or DNA you must be consistent in the qualities you are trying to instill. Chick-fil-a has created a very strong culture. They do this by talking values at executive meetings, making sure they select the right store owners, and training their workers until they are blue in the face. Consistency! And we love them for it! Who doesn’t love trying to get one of the workers behind the counter to forget to say “My pleasure” when you say “Thank You?” Who doesn’t love walking into the bathroom and trying to guess what Chris Tomlin song is being played instrumentally? Who doesn’t get mildly angry when you’re traveling from vacation on a Sunday only to find out that your favorite fast food restaurant is closed because they are so stinkin’ holy? Anyway I digress. Creating a strong family culture happens through showing up every day and being consistent. It’s the secret sauce you could say to the whole thing and it’s the secret sauce in our families.
Kids are built to thrive on consistency. Their little worlds revolve around their home life so when we can create consistency there, it will not only help them flourish but also reinforce the values we seek to instill. I want to share 3 ways to begin applying the principle of consistency in your family!
1. Schedule protected family time.
Life can get reeaaally hectic. I am guilty of losing track of how many commitments we’ve made, nights out we are spending, and weekends that are spent “on-the-go.” Before long, not only has it been 2 months since your last date with your wife but it’s also been awhile since you’ve had a full day free of responsibility where you can be with your wife and kids. I understand schedules, work and life circumstances vary but you should be able to make consistent time to spend as a family. If you and I can’t, then we have a priority issue. We make time for the things we love. I know that may sound harsh but there’s no use in us as men making excuses why we can’t set aside time for the most important people in our lives. It doesn’t have to be a whole day. It could be a pizza and movie night every Friday, or a lazy Saturday morning where you make breakfast together. Find something consistent and protected. If someone says “Do you have plans Friday night?” say “Yes.” It’s okay if you have to make an adjustment once and awhile just make sure you come back around and carve out that time.
2. Do unique and quirky things together.
Almost every night before we go to bed we do a “Team Gatton.” What is a “Team Gatton” you ask? It’s where Azariah, Tirzah, Lydia, Elia and myself gather in a circle, put our hands in, count to three and shout “Teeeeaam Gatton!” It’s weird and cheesy. There’s no hiding that but the kids love it. Create these kinds of unique interactions as a family that you can bond around. Pick a board game you all love and make that your family game. Sing the same song before every road trip. Eat a weird topping on your pizza. Laugh about inside jokes that no one else would get. Have things that set your interactions apart from just anyone else.
3. Use specific words and phrases.
Words are a way to express and communicate our actions, values and beliefs. In our house if you asked our kids what it means to be obedient they would say something like “Right away, all the way and with a happy heart.” Or maybe you would hear Azariah say “Jesus likes it when we love each other.” These are phrases and words we use with our kids to communicate what we value in our family.
Dads, remember that the biggest way we can build a strong family culture is showing up everyday and showing them that they are the priority!