Simpkins Speaker Says Knowing What You're 'For' is the Key to Success

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“In a hyper-critical, cynical world often known for what it's against, let’s be known for what we're FOR.”

That was the message Wednesday from Jeff Henderson – business consultant and best-selling author – to students during a Simpkins Speaker Series appearance at Eastern Florida State College.

Named by Forbes Magazine as one of 20 speakers you shouldn't miss, Henderson's experience comes from over 17 years as lead pastor for three churches, launching one of the largest online ministries in the world, and working for organizations such as the Atlanta Braves, Callaway Gardens, and Chick-fil-A.

Henderon's topic, “Know what you're FOR,” began with a simple question: “How do you figure out the rest of your life?”

His main emphasize was that if you take one small step forward and genuinely focus on the needs of others, the world will open up, and the question will answer itself.

“How you view life determines how you do life,” Henderson explained, as he shared the worst day in his career at Chick-fil-A.

He had spent $72,000 to give small cow stuffed animals to each attendee at the Peach Bowl, only to see angry fans throw them on the football field when the game was not going their team's way. Henderson thought he would be fired, but instead his boss saw the positive value of the publicity, and the company went on to make cows who say "eat more chiken” the iconic symbol of the company's brand to this day.

Henderson said that answering two questions – “What do you want to be known FOR?” and “What are you known FOR?” – is the key to changing yourself, your team, your customers, your organization, and the world for the better.

Among Henderson's career advice was showing unique appreciation through hand-written thank you notes, living aligned with your personal “what are you for" philosophy, and understanding that a strong sense of purpose is what ultimately drives word-of-mouth profit.

Applying those principles to your personal life, empowers you to dream beyond yourself, take chances, and do what he calls “asking big.”

As an example, Henderson told how a letter he wrote to the CEO of Pixar led to his family's once-in-a-lifetime tour of the animation company's studio. Even attempting that was “a big ask” to celebrate his daughter's graduation and aligned with the personal FOR mission statement “to be an intentional, memory-making, legacy-leaving dad.”

Following his speech, Henderson signed copies of his book, “Know What You're FOR: A Growth Strategy for Work, an Even Better Strategy for Life.”

The bestseller examines how organizations can grow through “no longer being the best company IN the world but by being the best company FOR the world.”

The Simpkins Speaker Series is named after Bernard Simpkins, a highly successful entrepreneur and Brevard County business leader who established the sessions that have brought some of the nation’s top business innovators to the college since the series started in 2001.

A student scholarship presented by the EFSC Foundation has also been named in his honor, with four entrepreneur-minded recipients honored Wednesday. They are:

• Luke Figueroa, who wants to eventually serve among EFSC's college leadership and open a non-profit organization for domestic violence victims in Brevard County; he said obtaining his degree from EFSC with the help of the scholarship “will help me achieve these goals.”

• Michael Lanclos, who wants to establish a technology consulting business that “focuses on helping small- and medium-sized businesses optimize their digital presence and leverage emerging technologies.”

• Maya Toland, who is studying nonprofit management and business development, with the goal of launching a nonprofit business providing service dogs to people with epilepsy. “My desire to transform my obstacles into possibilities for others motivates me to pursue entrepreneurship.”

• Joshua Simpson, a cybersecurity student who wants to start a business focused on preventing malware on personal and business computers, while also educating people about how they can protect their data and “give others peace of mind.”

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