A master story-teller, Jimmy Collins is well known for his common-sense style of communication. In "Creative Followership: In the Shadow of Greatness," Collins uses personal illustrations and stories to tell how he discovered and used his "Creative Followership Principles" for a successful and satisfying thirty-two-year career of service. Collins hopes to offer an inspiring message for men and women entering or redirecting their careers. He says, "My mission is to use my life experience to motivate others to venture out on a journey of discovery and adventure." Starting at the age of twelve, he delivered groceries on a bicycle for a neighborhood store. By the time he retired, he was the chief operating officer of a one-billion-dollar restaurant chain. A real success story! "Creative Followership" promises readers a better route to success and satisfaction than the over-emphasized pursuit of leadership roles. Collins begins "Creative Followership" with his unrealized search for a formula to become a leader. He reminds readers why leadership cannot be taught. He points out that only those who have followers are leaders, and that followers choose to follow a leader because of a unifying purpose that they can share. For example, Collins describes his absolute loyalty to Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, which he claims resulted in Truett's unwavering support of him as Truett's "Chief Follower." He also explains how he built his career using these Creative Followership Principles, which are easily transferable and usable for any individual in any organization. Jimmy's own journey to becoming a business executive and receiving the recognition and reward that followed is living proof of the effectiveness of these principles.
Born in an unpainted share-cropper house in the middle of cotton fields, Jimmy Collins dreamed of becoming an executive. His story of the pathway he discovered for the realization of that dream is told in his book, In the Shadow of Greatness. He named that pathway Creative Followership. Jimmy is certain that anyone can use his Creative Followership Principles for their own journey to success and satisfaction. From his first job of delivering groceries on a bicycle at 12 years old, to establishing his own business as a commercial kitchen design consultant, to his 32 year career with Chick-fil-A, Inc., he learned and applied the principles that you also can learn. Jimmy retired from Chick-fil-A, Inc. as president, Chief Operating Officer. He describes his role there as the chief follower of the founder, S. Truett Cathy. In year 2000, Jimmy received the prestigious Silver Plate Award as Chain Fast Service Operator of the Year. Michael Cooley enjoys the challenge of creative communication using words and images. He is a free-lance writer, speaker, multi-media producer, and an enthusiastic presentation coach. For over 26 years Michael has enjoyed providing professionals and executives with previously unthought-of means to illustrate ideas and concepts.
