SURVIVE Podcast – Episode 64 Notes

Episode Title: Critical Thinking for Store Leaders

Host: Mike Hernandez

Episode Description: In this transformative episode of Survive, host Mike Hernandez explores how convenience store assistant managers can develop critical thinking skills that solve problems at their root cause rather than just treating symptoms. Learn how to analyze situations more deeply, test your assumptions, and implement solutions that actually stick—turning daily operational challenges into opportunities to showcase your leadership abilities.

Key Topics Covered:

• Building a strong foundation of observation and analytical skills
• Implementing a systematic problem-solving process
• Turning critical thinking insights into effective action plans
• Developing your team's analytical abilities
• Measuring the success of your solutions

Episode Highlights:

• Success story of Rachel, who solved declining coffee sales by examining layout issues rather than changing products or prices
• The powerful "Why Chain" technique for uncovering root causes
• How questioning assumptions helped one store solve checkout lines without adding registers
• The "Progress Path" approach for breaking big changes into manageable weekly steps
• The "Success Signals" method for tracking multiple indicators beyond just numbers

Actionable Takeaways:

1. Create a critical thinking worksheet with key questions to guide your analysis of store challenges
2. Develop a team training plan to introduce analytical concepts during regular meetings
3. Establish an implementation strategy for tracking problems and solutions
4. Practice the "Why Chain" by asking deeper questions about recurring issues
5. Involve your team in the analysis process by asking them thought-provoking questions

Manager Challenge Question: How would you analyze a situation where snack aisle sales have decreased while overall store traffic has increased? What specific data would you gather and what assumptions would you question?

Listen to this episode to develop the analytical skills that will help you solve problems more effectively, make better decisions, and advance your management career.