As I mentioned last week, food safety is an integral aspect of managing a restaurant. Many years ago, Chick-fil-A Inc. began to send specialists into each location once per quarter to conduct unannounced inspections. These evaluations are similar to local health department inspections, but are designed to be even more rigorous. Inspection findings produce a food safety score for each location, scored from 1 (ELITE) to 10. 

This past week my location scored our 4th consecutive 1, which brought with it the award of “Guardian of the Brand” for 2025. While we have scored 1s here and there over the past few years, this was the first time achieving this accomplishment. With this goal in mind, each of the managers in charge of this important area put in vast amounts of time and energy throughout this year.

As I reflected on all of this, I was reminded of the important difference between inputs and outputs. What correlations exist between these? How should one thing about them?

6 Truths

Here are a few specific truths that I have come to hold to over my years in business as it pertains to what we put into something and the results that flow out of that:

1. Don’t confuse inputs and outputs- It can be easy to mix these up. For example, I remember tests in college where I was less prepared but was able to receive a high grade. I’d walk out feeling pretty good, and this is definitely understandable! The issue is that if one continues to give subpar inputs, it always comes back to haunt them. Positive outputs can sometimes mask mediocre effort on the front-end. But beware of missing underwhelming inputs due to a good outcome. Additionally, be careful not to get too down when all the correct preparation was put in, even if the end result yielded one-off results that were lower than expected. As humans we tend to UNDERESTIMATE the power of inputs while taking too much pride in outcomes, whether or not they were deserved.
2. Understand the correlation- In my experience, effort on the front-end doesn’t always lead to corresponding outputs. Note that I said “Doesn’t ALWAYS”. MOST of the time there is a very close correlation. Sometimes results lag behind the inputs for a brief period of time. But they often quickly catch up. While there’s not always a direct 1 to 1 correlation, it’s usually something fairly close. 
3. Control what you can- Outputs are sometimes outside of anyone’s control. But effort on the front end is ALWAYS controllable! We tend to spend far too much time worrying about just the outputs. Instead, flip the script and pour your energy into the things that are within control. 
4. Smart and hard- I often notice people getting frustrated because their effort isn’t producing a desired outcome. But for some reason people tend to focus on how HARD they are working but not how SMART they are working. Sometimes what is needed is to simply step back and come up with a better plan of attack. All the effort in the world will not produce great results if the effort is being pointed in the wrong direction.
5. Don’t do your best- Yes, you read that right! There’s so much to be said for focusing on one’s best. But sometimes “I gave my best” can become an excuse that is used to explain away poor performance. In fact, often we do not actually give our best, even when claiming to. Instead of your best, sometimes it’s better to focus on giving whatever is necessary. As Winston Churchill said, “Sometimes it is not enough to do our best; we must do what is required”.
6. Become lucky- How often do we look around and see people who seem to catch all the fortunate breaks? Sometimes things simply do or don’t go our way. That’s life! But the surefire way to catch more breaks is to prepare beforehand. As they say, “Luck favors the prepared”. When an opportunity for positive outputs presents itself, those who were prepared often reap the benefits. 

In Closing

What do you believe regarding inputs and outputs? Do you overemphasize one or the other? Which of the 6 truths above do you most often hold to in your daily work? Which could you most benefit from focusing on more?