Leadership should never be something restrictive and
overpowering.
In fact, perhaps its best to view leadership as Susan R. Komives
explains it in Exploring Leadership, that
leadership is, “a relational and ethical process of people together attempting
to accomplish positive change”.
In order for any group to function strongly, efficiency, and
cohesively, their leader must be liiiiiiiittle different than your average
dictator. . .
Actually, they probably should be a whole lot different!
A good leader forms good relationships with their constituents.
Don’t be a BIG-SCARY-BOSS-MAN, but an inspiring-responsible-best-friend-dude/chick.
Who would you rather work with?
As a group, Purple Dr@nk—that’s
Tyler B, Amy, Ray, Evan, Raffie, Kol, and I—went on an excursion to find some
local businesses whose leaders were SCREAMING inspiring-responsible-best-friend-dude/chick,
and whose leadership philosophy is that is not just acceptable, but
exceptional.
Our first stop was at a place that has, and will be, well
known by all Orientation Leaders, right below the Easton Avenue Apartments:
Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches.
Is your tummy getting rumbly? I wouldn’t be surprised: Their
sandwiches (and GIANT chocolate chip cookies) are delicious! Purple Dr@nk
inhaled their coldcutty goodness rather quickly upon arriving, mostly due to
the efficiency and speed of the employees.
Jimmy John’s is known for getting their customers fed super fast. Like less than 30
seconds per sandwich fast. And they deliver
between 10 and 20 minutes! As a Rutgers student who has experienced the tragedy
of having to await takeout for H O UR S, I appreciate Jimmy John’s promise to
fill my belly before I get cranky. When asked about the purpose for their speediness, an employee says, “We’re all about
freshness and getting you your sandwich as fresh as possible”. This commitment
to satisfying customers is what makes their leadership philosophy so special.
It is what makes them PURPOSEFUL, which is a key element of good leadership.
Another way that Jimmy John’s works to satisfy their customers is with the
selection of food that they offer.
Since my boyfriend became a vegetarian, I began to notice
just how difficult it can be for people with different eating habits to simply
find a place to grab a healthy, filling lunch. But Jimmy John’s makes it pretty
easy. The 8 inch Vegetarian sub sandwich and the Gourmet Club are two
sandwiches that don’t just “leave out the meat”, but are made to be a well
balanced and delicious option for vegetarians. Jimmy John’s doesn’t just serve
a slew of carnivores, but are inclusive
of all customers and their needs.
Anyone who has ever been inside JJ’s knows that it has great
vibes. When you eat at Jimmy John’s, you aren’t just getting a great meal, you’re
also getting an uplifting, and relaxing environment to hang out in. The cool looking furniture
and empowering or humorous posters
and signs certainly pumped up Purple Drank’s energy, as we sat together talking
about our home towns and excitement for the summer. 
For any kind of business, restaurant, or organization to
accomplish their goals, they must consider the ideas, thoughts and well-being
of everyone involved, including customers and employees, not just the “big
guys” , and JJ’s is well aware of this.
“When you join the Jimmy John’s family, anything is
possible,” their website says, “It really doesn’t matter if you’re a delivery
driver or a corporate honcho….Jimmy John’s offers awesome opportunities for
growth and adventure.” Purple Drank thinks their philosophy about the “boss-employee”
relationship is incredibly ethical, and a great example of relational
leadership. No one person is above another, but they all work together to
accomplish their positive goals: customer satisfaction and enjoyment.
The Purple Drank’s next stop was at Thomas Sweet on Easton Avenue!
What’s better after a quickly delivered, vegetarian plate of
good leadership than some more sweet, scrum-didli-ump-scious service? Purple
Drank took quite some time trying to sort through the plethora of ice cream
flavors to try and discover THE BEST concoction. But that’s just not possible
because there are TOO MANY!
The employee was very patient though, and was happy to make
our ice cream for us. I think one has to be patient to work at Thomas Sweet, I
think. How else could they get those white boards to be so neat?!
Thomas doesn’t have their menu typed up and placed on
counter somewhere, but instead has a white board that is written and drawn on
by employees often in a wonderful handwriting. There purpose is not just to
sell ice cream—any grocery store can do that—but to serve their customers
homemade recipes and also provide them with a comfortable, at ease environment
in which they can enjoy them.
The company is also very innovative, and changes its flavors
often. This is meant to include the preferences of a wide range of customers,
keep things exciting, and of course, allow for the fun of experimentation!
Customers don’t just have to pick a flavor, but they can
craft their own decadent creation by mixing flavors and toppings! Personally,
I think my cookies and cream bowl with marshmallows and chocolate syrup was
pretty amazing and would definitely recommend it!
Thomas Sweet’s interesting ways of creating a great eating
environment, adventure, and overall experience shows how they truly strive to
satisfy their customers.
Our excursion at both Jimmy John’s and Thomas Sweet was a great
experience. We got to have some Purp bonding time, and were all in great moods
because of empowering vibes and caring service we received.
Good Leadership involves
working hard, but also working smart. As Exploring Leadership explains,
“Working
reflectively smarter means taking the time to make meaning out of what is
happening in order to gain perspective and understanding” (Exploring
Leadership, 2007).
These two companies work very hard to promote customer
satisfaction to achieve their goal popularity and appreciation, and take it the
Purple Drank, we were FULL and Satisfied!
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