In a world that measures success by speed, scale and constant activity, it’s surprising to see a company rise to the top by doing less, not more. But that’s exactly what happened with Chick-fil-A. For decades, the fast-food industry has chased the same formula: more hours, more locations, more menu items. If you can serve more people more often, you win (or at least that’s what everyone assumed).

Sometimes success can be its own kind of danger. When things are running smoothly, it’s easy to believe that what worked yesterday will keep working tomorrow. That comfort can slowly turn into overconfidence, and before long, the organization that once led the way is the one struggling to catch up. That’s exactly what happened to Blockbuster.

One thing we often see in ministry leadership is what I call boardroom boredom. It happens when things are going well — the mission is strong, people are engaged, and God is clearly at work — but those in leadership start feeling restless. They look around and see other ministries trying new things, and they start wondering if they should “freshen things up” too.

In the early hours of April 26, 1986, an explosion shook the small Ukrainian city of Pripyat. Inside Reactor 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, a late-night safety test had gone wrong. A series of design flaws and rushed decisions caused the reactor to overheat and then explode, sending radioactive material miles into the sky. But the disaster didn’t end with the explosion. In many ways, it began there.

When emotion is woven into your message, it transforms a simple transaction into a meaningful connection. A well-designed product might impress, but a story that makes someone feel seen, understood or inspired will stay with them long after the details fade. Emotion gives your audience a reason to care — and caring is what drives loyalty.

In July 1940, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge opened with great fanfare. Stretching nearly 6,000 feet across Puget Sound, it was the third-longest suspension bridge in the world — sleek, efficient and by all accounts a triumph of modern design. It was also one of the cheapest bridges of its kind ever built.