NATIONAL, OCTOBER 16, 2020 (GPN): The extended lockdown has turned changed things around – with face-to-face meetings being replaced by online, or rather ‘video-off’ meetings, extended work hours while we work from home and so on. For team leaders and managers, leading remotely has been a different ball game altogether. Bosses have had to make sure work gets delivered while keeping their crew engaged and keeping morale high. Now is the time to show appreciation to those who held fort and kept the show running, through lockdowns and unlocks.

On October 16, the world celebrates Boss Day to give gratitude to the best bosses who’ve stood by us through this new normal. And speaking of dedicated bosses, how can one miss KFC’s OG cool boss – Colonel Sanders – the man who gifted the world with crispy, crunchy KFC chicken. His journey wasn’t easy either, and like the bosses and many of us today, he faced several challenges.  1009, that’s right, that’s how many times he got rejected, before he got his first ‘YES’, and that too at the age of 62. In terms of persistence, he tried his hand at over 20 professions before discovering the secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices. Therefore, this Boss’ Day, we celebrate the one true boss man with 5 awe-inspiring aspects that we could all learn from him.

1. Never giving up

Urgent deadlines and several rejections can make the strongest of people want to quit. But Colonel Sanders never let anything come in the way of his dreams and pursued them relentlessly. He stayed focused on his goal in spite of being turned down by multiple franchisee partners over 5 years. And as a result, KFC today is loved and available in nearly 140 countries across 23,000 restaurants.

2. Settled for nothing but the best

Since communicating with your team often becomes a challenge, whether it’s because of Wi-Fi or some other glitch, quality may be compromised. But did you know, even after selling the franchise in 1964, the Colonel visitedKFC restaurants inspecting the quality of the food, and sometimes even tossed gravy on the floor if it didn’t meet his standards.

3. Was driven by passion

With all the distractions at home, sometimes it can be hard to remain driven. Perhaps that’s a good time to remember the Colonel, who was so passionate that he travelled the world opening KFC restaurants worldwide till the age of 80. He remained active until the month before his death, appearing before crowds in his signature white suit and string tie, which he was also buried in. He has also been quoted saying, “I do get sleepy sometimes, but I never get tired.”

4. Stayed original

In the new normal, bringing something new to the table can be bewildering. Do keep in mind though that the secret 11 herbs n’ spices recipe, pioneered by Colonel after numerous experiments, remains widely loved and enjoyed by chicken lovers only for its unique taste. And is still perhaps the best kept secret in the world of food.

5. Demonstrated bounteous hospitality

The man believed in treating everyone generously and letting everyone enjoy a seat at the table. For him millionaires and truck drivers alike were just people who wanted to enjoy a good meal and he served them happily. This is a good reminder, that no matter how trying the times are, it is imperative to be kind and do your part, from the heart. ENDS

About KFC

KFC, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM.), is a global chicken restaurant brand with a rich, decades-long history of success and innovation. It all started with one cook, Colonel Harland Sanders, who created a finger lickin’ good recipe more than 75 years ago, a list of secret herbs and spices scratched out on the back of the door to his kitchen. Today we still follow his formula for success, with real cooks breading and freshly preparing our delicious chicken by hand in more than 23,000 restaurants in over 140 countries and territories around the world.

For more information, visit https://online.kfc.co.in/