Why Is Everyone Talking About Servant Leadership? Because It Works.
At Stratus, our story isn’t just about awards, it’s about people. And now, our CEO Doug Flaig is spotlighting what makes our system thrive: servant leadership.
In his latest article for Franchising.com, Doug makes a strong case for flipping the leadership script. Instead of “command and control,” he argues, today’s franchise CEOs need to lead by listening, empower their teams, and put people first, starting with the franchisees on the ground.
“When you lead from a place of service, you unlock growth, trust, and culture all at once,” says Doug.
And here’s the kicker: it’s not just a feel-good philosophy. Servant leadership is proving to be one of the smartest strategies in franchising today driving retention, building culture, and creating franchise systems that actually work.
Doug’s approach? It’s part human, part business-savvy. And it’s working. At Stratus, we’ve grown over 70% in the past three years, thanks in large part to building a culture of respect, communication, and ownership. Servant leadership turns CEOs into coaches, franchisees into partners, and teams into real communities.
This article isn’t just a good read, it’s a blueprint. Doug’s message is clear: when franchisees succeed, everybody wins. And it starts with leadership that serves.
We’re proud to see Doug recognized as a leading voice in the franchise space and proud that Stratus continues to walk the walk.
Read the full article on Franchising.com.