If anyone had told me when I graduated from college
many moons ago that in 2009 I would be working as a Director of
Membership Relations for a company called People Report, I would
have told them they were insane. First of all, People Report did
not even exist when I graduated from college in 1992. I am sure
Joni Thomas Doolin, our CEO, had thought of it already since she is
amazing at coming up with these unique ideas long before the rest
of us do. And secondly, I had my dream job. I was going to be a
manager for Chili's Grill and Bar in Addison, Texas. Through most
of my college days I had worked for Chili's as a food server (we
still called them waitresses occasionally back then) and as a
bartender which is the best job in the foodservice business in my
opinion but that is for another day.
Like most of the other people
working at my particular restaurant we just sort of lucked out -
needed a few bucks to pay for rent, gas, fun and the occasional
college class. I fell head over heels in love with Chili's. I loved
everything about it - the food, the atmosphere, and the people.
Especially our leader at the time, Norman Brinker. I just thought
he was amazing. He cared and he showed it in every action he took
for Chili's and all the people working for him.
Like I mentioned, when I graduated
with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management I felt like I won
the lottery because I got a manager position at Chili's Addison,
Texas. I grew up in Plano, Texas so it was nice to come home. I was
about 6 months older than most of the people I worked with which
was actually a great thing. Once the staff stopped calling me the
MIT Grunt or Green Machine and they all realized I was going to
work just as hard as they did because I cared about them and our
guests - life was perfect. I think one of the best compliments I
ever got was from a cook who said he loved seeing my car in the
parking lot when he got to work. He said he knew he was going to
have a good shift.
Norman Brinker lived near this
particular Chili's so he was in often. Terrified most everyone else
but after I got over my initial fear, I really did love it. He
called me by name. Me! If he knew you he called everyone by their
name and if not he still made you feel like you were the most
important person he had met that day. He took the time to establish
relationships. He took the time to coach and lead. He took the time
to mentor. He just took the time. In this crazy world we live in
that is always the one thing we lack. Time. I am always saying I
wish there were more hours in the day. We lost a great leader last
week. He left such a huge legacy because of all the people he
touched. I have a picture of the two of us together taken at a
manager conference several years ago. I plan on framing it and
hanging it in my office. It will be a reminder to take the time,
use it wisely to coach, mentor, lead and pass it on. Time is such a
precious commodity.
Thank you, Norman, for
starting me on my path. What an example.
You will be missed but
never forgotten.