Courageous Leadership in Times of Panic

So many businesses are in free fall because of the Coronavirus. Many leaders have just shut their doors and called it quits. Others have laid off most of their workforce. The courageous have done everything they can to take care of their employees and customers as best as they possibly can. We have the distinct pleasure of working with one of these courageous leaders, Al Recher, CEO of Five Star Food Service of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Five Star has branches in Nashville, Knoxville, and Atlanta, Georgia as well as several other locations throughout the Southeast. It has done approximately $500 million in business each year but is looking at significant reductions this year because their customers are in dire straits.

Amidst all of this turmoil, Al has insisted that people be taken care of. When suggestions are made that could do more harm to people than the economy is already doing, he won’t stand for it. No one is being laid off, although many have been furloughed, Al’s intent is that everyone will keep their health benefits. All of the leadership team has taken a 50% pay cut for the duration of the crisis. And Al communicates with everyone, every single day. He’s not just concerned about his business, he’s concerned about the impact of this crisis on the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual health of every member of the Five Star Family.

Some leaders would make sure we all know about the wonderful things they are doing during times of crisis. Al wants us all to know about the amazing things that all his people are doing. He has lavished praise on those who’ve risen above the fray to help people both inside and outside the company. He notes that he sees the hand of God at work wherever he looks and is thankful for how his team has responded.

Imagine what our world would be like if more leaders were like Al. Our hope is to help more people view the world through a lens that says people first. We understand that profit is always a product of the actions of people. We also know that short-term profits don’t always translate to long-term profits. However, short-term caring for people can easily be translated into long term relationships which can make a business much more profitable in the long run. I salute you, Al Recher, for the commitment you’ve made not just to the people of Five Star Foods, but to your community, all the communities Five Star touches, and to the world beyond.