Franchise Update Magazine Issue IV, 2011 | Page 12

CEO profile:

and provide a comfortable platform to
bring up any topic the team may have
on their mind. The culture will set the
tone of the organization’s behavior,
performance, and long-term results.
When we meet with team members,
we get their buy-in, provide them with
empowerment to make decisions, and
cultivate our “we make you smile” philosophy throughout every aspect of our
environment as best we can. Setting the
culture is a constant work in progress.
Best place to prepare for leadership:
an MBA or OTJ? Both are of high val-

ue. Yet, through the years, I have seen
evidence that can support that the best
place is often on the job. Though I do
not have an MBA, I am aware that it’s
a valuable tool, yet I’ve come across
enough MBA graduates alongside individuals with heavy experience and no
MBA, and can almost categorically say
that the on-the-job experience usually
leads to better leaders and results.
Are tough decisions best taken by
one person? No. Often my leadership

team sits around a large table and we
try to make tough decisions together.
Not always is it doable, but as a general
principle that is our preference. I like
to get more people involved and opinions offered. When you create a group
effort, you increase the probability for
a better and more informed decision.

I believe that
wanting to
be liked is
a mistake
that leade