The Courage to Challenge Another

One of my favorite stories about Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s, who was inspiring in so many ways, is that he dropped out of high school at age 15 but went back to finish his GED 45 years later at the age of 60. This was a tremendous accomplishment. The reason he did that is he was giving a talk to high school students, encouraging them to stay in school and finish their education. One of those students challenged him, asking how he could say that if he himself hadn’t finished high school. Thomas took that to heart and went back to earn his GED.

Most people focus on what Dave Thomas did in that situation, but what I’m curious about is how that high school student felt comfortable challenging him. Here’s the founder of this giant business, and the student had the courage to speak up. I think in life, sometimes it does take courage to challenge someone to go beyond where they have chosen to go. It’s not always the case that your challenge will result in something as monumental as what Dave Thomas accomplished 45 years after dropping out of high school, but you never know.