S. 3 Ep. 10: From Tragedy to Triumph: Building Systems That Win in Leadership

Build Your Culture Brand has a brand new, thought provoking episode! Dr. Jay Raines is joined by Abram Moon, Executive Director at Chick-fil-A Portsmouth VA, to speak about how he utilizes systems-driven leadership and authentic vulnerability to transform struggling teams into championship performers.

Drawing on his powerful personal journey from losing his father at age 8 to becoming a successful restaurant leader, Abram unpacks the essential elements of building sustainable culture through systems rather than personalities. From his signature philosophy that "operations is marketing" to his real-world strategies for entering existing teams with empathy, he and Dr. Jay explore the transformative moments when authentic leadership isn't just helpful—it's critical for organizational survival. Through compelling stories like taking an underperforming $6.8 million restaurant to over $11 million in sales while raising average wages from $13 to $17.80 per hour, Abram demonstrates how focusing on genuine relationships and systematic processes creates a foundation for lasting success. This episode reveals how vulnerability and accountability work together to build trust, and why the best leaders don't just rescue shifts—they develop people who can lead them.

For more information about brand creation and culture, visit www.buildyourculturebrand.com 

Connect with Abram on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abram-w-moon-b1303a70/

Guest: Abram Moon (Executive Director, Chick-fil-A, Portsmouth VA)

Time stamps:

(00:00 - 1:52) Intro

(1:53 - 9:27) Abram’s story

(9:28 - 18:15) How Abram achieved success in his first leadership position

(18:16 - 19:43) Creating a system that can go forever

(19:44 - 22:41) System for building systems

(22:42 - 26:18) “Operations is Marketing”

(26:19 - 27:43) Back to the basics

(27:44 - 34:53) Abram taking over another location and building his network

(34:53 - 39:02) Advise to other leaders to help their team members through tough seasons

(39:03 - 40:31) Rescuing a shift vs. showing up for your employees

(40:32 - 40:55) Closing

Hashtags:

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