Welcome to How Leaders League where every week you get to listen in while I interview some of the very best leaders in the world.

I break down the key learning so that by the end of the episode, you'll have something simple you can apply as you develop into a better leader.

That's what this podcast is all about.

Today's guest is Dan Kathy, chairman and CEO of Chick-fil-A. With Dan at the helm, Chick-fil-A has become the envy of the

restaurant industry. The average unit volumes in their stores honestly just boggle my mind,

even though they're closed on Sunday. and they've had sales increases every single year

of the 75 years they've been in business. Now, you can't get that kind of growth for that long

without being really good at innovating and adapting, but somehow they've done it while also

staying true to their founding principles and their values.

The secret, Dan says, is to marry the mission and date the methods.

I just love that.

Marry the mission and date the methods.

That means they're not afraid to try new ideas or get rid of what's not working,

whether that's a strategy or a process or a menu item.

But the core mission never changes. If you're the kind of person who wants to chart a bold

path forward but you don't want to lose sight of what got you to where you are, then you're

going to love this conversation. Although I should warn you, it could cause some pretty severe waffle-fry

cravings. So here's my conversation with my good friend and soon to be yours, Dan Kathy.

Dan, thanks so much for taking the time to be with us.

Well, thank you, David.

And, of course, as you well know, that CEO reference that you made, of course,

all the listeners know that, of course, stands for Chief Encouragement Officer.

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