According to Golden Corral CEO Lance Trenary, the secret to more than four decades of leadership doesn’t begin in a boardroom. It begins with prayer.
After 41 years with the restaurant chain, Trenary is opening up about the principles that have carried him through the highs and lows of business, and faith is right at the center.
“One of the key things for me is saying a prayer,” Trenary told Fox Business. “My personal faith is really important to me, and my family is incredibly important to me. So faith, family and purpose always lead my day.”
That foundation appears to influence more than his morning routine.
According to Fox Business, Trenary has made staying connected to people a priority throughout his career. Despite leading a company with nearly 400 restaurants across 42 states, he still travels to Golden Corral locations, speaking directly with franchisees, managers, employees and customers.
It is a habit he says he will “never break.”
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Those relationships may matter most right now. Trenary acknowledged to Fox Business that Golden Corral is experiencing its first challenging year in many years. Yet rather than letting uncertainty consume him, he pointed to the people around him.
“If you can surround yourself, if you will, with great people, then that gives you the opportunity to find successful answers in whatever situation you’re facing,” he said.
Perhaps even more telling is how Trenary defines success.
He told Fox Business that leadership isn’t ultimately about personal accolades or what he has managed to accomplish. Instead, he looks at the people around him and the opportunities he can create for them.
In a culture constantly chasing the next achievement, promotion or dollar sign, Trenary’s perspective offers a different picture of leadership: Start with prayer. Remember your purpose. Stay close to people.
After 41 years, those principles apparently haven’t gone out of style.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
