Apr. 12—Business leaders and community members gathered at the Acworth Community Center on Tuesday to hear advice from Chick-fil-A Chairman Dan Cathy about success in business, leadership and faith at a lunch and learn event.
Cathy, son of Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy, shared his journey as a proud father, community leader and family business owner with friend and author Ira Blumenthal. Blumenthal, a Cobb Business Journal columnist who has counseled high-profile brand clients such as Coca-Cola, Disney, Marriott, Nestle and American Airlines, has been friends with Cathy for close to 30 years.
A student at heart, Cathy stressed the importance of always challenging himself to expand his mind's horizons. He told the audience he's always reading books, listening to podcasts, meeting new people and continues to wear a Chick-fil-A "in training" badge on his lapel because he's "always learning."
"I'm 69 years old and I have a growing passion in my life to really encourage people in a positive way and to help them accelerate their progress for success and to collapse the learning curve so that you can be more successful quicker," Cathy told the audience.
When asked about how he finds purpose, Cathy said it was all about finding a calling in life or "what God has wired you to do." He said as leaders gain seniority in their roles, they should become more articulate about defining a compelling purpose that connects with people's hearts, self and mind.
"One of the things for me is, when things really move me emotionally, I take a lot of notes about that," he said. "Why did that move me so emotionally? And when I do, I begin to recognize that's God's prompting me ... to live a life of meaning, to live a life of purpose."
Cathy encouraged the audience to "carpe diem," or "to seize the day." He said passion was even more contagious than COVID and the world needs more significance and meaning.
"This is the one and only life you're going to live," he said. "This is no dress rehearsal, this is the real deal... You want to make sure (your life) is full of meaning and purpose. Otherwise, you're not going to hear the words, 'Well done my good and faithful servant.' And we all aspire to hear those words."
At Chick-fil-A, that purpose was developed 40 years ago during a company retreat, Cathy said.
"We're here to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that's entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A," he said.