Recently I had the distinct pleasure of dining at a restaurant in Orangeburg, SC called FATZ.  If you are unfamiliar with FATZ, it would be in the same class with Ruby Tuesday’s, TJ Applebee’s, Friday’s, and Chili’s.  What made the experience distinctive was not necessarily the food, which was good, but a young man named Anthony Brooking.  I think Anthony is one of the great leaders you may have never heard of.

Anthony was my waiter/server.  I would order something and he would say, “Sir, most of our guests enjoy that dish when it is prepared….”  And then, “May a suggest we get the South Carolina peach cobbler to go with your meal.”  Along with “Could I prepare a to-go Pepsi for you today?  It is no problem.”  It doesn’t sound like much but he was so proactive, so polite, and so helpful that he stuck out over most people who are not bad servers, they’re just not memorable.  He provided alternatives and solutions.

When I gave him payment for my meal, I asked, “I’m doing some research.  You are an excellent waiter.”

He replied, “I could always get better sir.” *Note – That is probably why he is so good.  This young man intuitively knows more about the relationship between humility and leadership than almost any adult with twice his experience that I know of.  The conversation continued something like this:

I smiled and said, “I’m doing a research project.  Can I use your name and you tell me why you are so good?”  He gave me his card and said:

“I’m a student at South Carolina State and I’m studying to be a lawyer.  One day I’m going to be selling policy and procedures but today I’m practicing by selling ribs and steaks.  The pay is OK and the hours are flexible.  But this job is allowing me to practice for what I will truly be doing one day.  Learning how to interact with people, sell ideas, and make them smile.  I’m using this as a laboratory”

If Anthony is one day selling policies and procedures, I’m buying!  I think so will the judge and jury.

Anthony understands that experience is not wasted.  He understands we have all been given a platform.  He is leveraging his current platform of serving food and drinks to guests with excellence and to prepare him for a larger legal platform in the future.

Anthony is an artist.  What Anthony does affects the decisions that people make.  He makes their experiences more pleasurable and moves them to action.  He is distinctive.  He is memorable.  Are you?

I gave Anthony a very good tip, now let me give you one.  Remember the name Anthony Brooking.  One day everyone will know the name of this leader.

Leaders, is your job a laboratory?  Is your current position a platform that you are effectively utilizing?  Do you care enough to make the lives of everyone you come across better?  Are you memorable?  If not, visit FATZ in Orangeburg, SC, ask for Anthony, and watch how it’s done.

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