By Jeff Wharton, CEO of Bloomin’ Blinds
As I stepped into the role of CEO at Bloomin’ Blinds, I was tasked with guiding the brand into its next chapter of growth, transitioning from a family-owned and operated business into a successful franchise powerhouse. This shift required balancing the rich legacy established by the brother-led leadership team while innovating and positioning the company for future success. Taking on this role as a non-family member brought its own set of challenges, particularly when it came to preserving the family-driven culture and values that have always been the foundation of Bloomin’ Blinds since its inception in 2001.
In this transition, it became essential to implement a leadership style that not only fostered growth and innovation but also maintained the heart and soul of our family-oriented business. It’s not just about overseeing operations; it’s about creating a leadership environment that resonates with employees, franchisees, and stakeholders, ensuring that everyone feels part of something larger than themselves.
Effective leadership in this context means that all team members, whether corporate staff, franchise owners, or employees, feel valued, empowered, and aligned with the organization’s goals. A strong leadership style doesn’t just influence day-to-day operations—it shapes the company culture, fosters collaboration, and defines the work environment. Here are three ways to determine if your leadership approach is truly hitting the mark:
- Franchisee and Employee Engagement and Initiative
Resonating leadership creates an environment where franchisees and employees are motivated to take initiative, step up, and contribute beyond their core responsibilities. Engagement is not just about participating in meetings or completing tasks; it’s about ownership, pride in one’s work, and self-responsibility.
Observable Actions: Are team members solving problems proactively or offering fresh ideas? When people take initiative without being asked, it’s a clear sign that they feel trusted and empowered by your leadership. This autonomy encourages them to take responsibility for their own projects, which naturally fuels innovation and growth.
Open Communication: Look for consistent, constructive feedback from your team during meetings or performance reviews. When employees and franchisees feel heard and valued, they’re more likely to engage in meaningful dialogue. Transparency in these exchanges, where they understand the reasoning behind decisions, builds trust in leadership and reinforces a culture of self-responsibility.
Autonomy: Empowering individuals to make decisions on their own is vital. Are your employees and franchisees making decisions confidently without needing constant approval? This type of autonomy shows that they trust your leadership and feel empowered within their roles. A resonating leader encourages independent decision-making, ensuring a balance of empowerment and support, which nurtures a culture of leadership at all levels of the organization.
This approach doesn’t just empower the team—it creates a dynamic where everyone feels invested in the brand’s success. This deep engagement translates into higher job satisfaction, better retention rates, and more innovative solutions. Tools like BloomScale, Bloomin’ Blinds’ proprietary tech platform, exemplify the impact of this leadership approach. This innovative tool helps franchisees make data-driven decisions, optimize operations, and drive growth, benefiting the entire franchise system.
- Team Cohesion and Collaboration
A unified and collaborative team often reflects leadership that prioritizes trust, respect, and alignment. Effective leaders set the tone for an environment where mutual support is the norm, fostering a culture where every member of the team, from corporate to franchise owners, feels responsible for the company’s success.
Unified Efforts: Does your team work cohesively toward shared goals? When individuals freely share and support ideas, it reflects leadership that fosters unity and collaboration. Creating a shared vision that motivates everyone to work toward common goals is essential. When employees and franchisees understand how their work contributes to the larger picture and see the direct impact of their contributions, they become more engaged and committed.
Healthy Conflict Management: Every team experiences disagreements, but resonating leadership ensures that these conflicts become opportunities for growth. By encouraging open dialogue and teaching conflict resolution skills, you can help your team navigate disagreements productively, which strengthens relationships and keeps the focus on moving forward.
When team members feel trusted, respected, and supported, they’re more likely to work together to achieve common goals, creating a powerful, unified force within the organization.
- Growth and Development
One of the most telling signs of resonating leadership is the commitment to development and the long-term success of your team members. A leader who prioritizes development fosters a culture where employees and franchise owners see their potential for growth within the company, reducing turnover and ensuring continued engagement.
Pursuit of Learning: Are your employees and franchisees seeking out opportunities for professional development or requesting feedback to improve their skills? Leadership that resonates inspires continuous learning and improvement. When individuals are encouraged to pursue growth, they take ownership of their personal and professional development, driving innovation within the company.
Career Progression: When people see a clear path for advancement within your organization, they are more likely to stay engaged. Supporting their long-term career goals strengthens individual performance, builds loyalty, and reduces turnover. A culture of growth isn’t just about technical skills; emotional and personal growth is equally important. A resonating leader fosters a growth environment where employees feel supported in all aspects of their development.
Recognition and Support: Recognition is key to ensuring that team members feel appreciated for their contributions. When leaders provide constructive feedback, celebrate achievements, and support both professional and personal growth, they reinforce the idea that every team member’s progress is valued.
In my experience leading high-performing teams, including my current role as CEO of Bloomin’ Blinds, I’ve seen firsthand how aligning leadership principles with team dynamics drives success. Effective leadership is a two-way street: when leaders invest in their teams, teams respond with trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence.
By focusing on engagement, collaboration, and growth, leaders can ensure their style resonates with employees, franchise owners, and stakeholders alike, resulting in a thriving organizational culture. In turn, this creates a company where the family values that have been its foundation are maintained while adapting for the future. Leadership is ultimately about people—it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and aligned with the company’s goals. When this happens, the results speak for themselves: improved performance, greater innovation, and a lasting, positive impact on the organization.