In the New Year, Apply the “Waffle House Principle” to Your Constraints!

A while ago I got to know a close relative of the CEO of Waffle House and also interacted with one of their store managers. Of course, I was familiar with their restaurants, but through these discussions really came to appreciate the company and became fascinated with its culture. An example of a noteworthy aspect of this culture is the perspective on “constraints,” especially as it applies to its employees.

Many employees come to Waffle House from difficult backgrounds – constrained resources, challenging relational circumstances, transitional phases of career, limited access to transportation, etc. Rather than trying to change these realities, or resenting them, the company has accepted and even embraced these constraints. This comes to life in fascinating ways – examples…managers prepared to “jump-in” in case of absences, teaching classes on how to “create a budget on a Waffle House income,” providing transportation for employees in need (…example: bikes for those who live close by and may not have a driver’s license, pick up of employees during inclement weather, etc.).

Unfortunately, in my practice of coaching leaders I often find a lopsided amount of management-energy spent doing exactly the opposite – instead of embracing constraints…trying to avoid or fight them. While “constraint-busting” definitely has its place as a management-responsibility, what would it look like to identify those we can’t change…and not only accept them, but decide to use them to our advantage?

Here are a few principles I’d propose:

1. Identify them – what are things you perceive as “limitations”?… perhaps chafe under? … “genetically” hard-wired in your reality? – location, job, finances, customers, employees…
2. Mentally embrace them – instead of fighting them…”welcome them.” This change of mindset from “rejection” to “acceptance” is a necessary and vital turning point. It changes your perspective from negativity & “resentment” to positivity and an open mind. Could you imagine thinking of constraints as a “pleasure”?
3. Get creative – how might you turn these constraints to your advantage…not despite them…but because of them? Chances are that many of your peers or competitors face similar challenges but have written them off, so an opportunity for competitive-advantage may be in plain view, though invisible to others. Remember…”necessity is the mother of invention!”

As you turn the page on 2019, take a step back and look at the constraints you consider “fixed.” Rather than resent or ignore them, why don’t you begin the process of thinking about how they can go from a “threat to fear” to a “reason to thrive” in the new year?

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