The Fred Factor: The Surprisingly Simple Secret to Extraordinary Leadership
The Lesson That Changed How I Lead
A few years ago, I picked up a little book that changed how I think about leadership.
Not because it introduced a revolutionary system or a fancy new strategy, but because it reminded me of something simple and easy to forget:
Excellence isn’t about your title. It’s about your mindset.
The book was The Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn. It’s based on a real person, Fred the mail carrier, who didn’t have a glamorous job, a big platform, or a fancy title. But he had something better: a daily choice to serve with intentionality and care.
Fred didn’t just deliver the mail. He delivered kindness, connection, and thoughtfulness. He noticed details. He remembered names. He anticipated needs.
And that’s the heart of it, he didn’t wait for permission to lead.
He just chose to care more.
Why Fred Matters for Leaders Today
Leadership today can feel complicated. We’re juggling teams, tools, and endless to-do lists. But The Fred Factor reminds us that the most meaningful leadership isn’t always loud. It’s intentional.
Fred didn’t go viral or scale a big program. He simply did the ordinary with extraordinary care.
And it made me think, how often do we miss opportunities to lead because we think leadership has to be big or public?
The truth is, real leadership happens in the margins.
It’s in the hallway conversations, the handwritten notes, the unexpected follow-ups. Those small moments are what build trust that lasts.
When Service Becomes a Strategy
At Text In Church, we’ve always believed churches thrive when people feel known, noticed, and loved.
That belief came to life one afternoon when I heard a story from a church using our platform, not just to send reminders, but to send gratitude.
They started texting guests just to say, “We’re really glad you were here.” No follow-up series. No ask. Just kindness.
The result? People came back. Not because of the automation, but because of the authenticity.
That’s the Fred Factor in action.
It’s why we care so much about thoughtful touches. Why do we still make room for handwritten notes? Why I encourage pastors to make one personal phone call each week, even when they’re tired.
Because the smallest things often leave the biggest impression.
Excellence Is a Choice, and It’s Contagious
I see this at home, too.
Zach, our oldest, is learning what it means to be a good teammate. Elizabeth, our youngest, is figuring out how to lead with kindness. Neither of them has a title, but both are learning the same thing I am, how you treat people matters.
Whether you’re leading a company or a kids’ ministry, the temptation is to wait for the “big” moment to prove yourself.
But leadership isn’t something you earn. It’s something you practice.
And you practice it in the small things, the thoughtful reply, the extra step, the moment you make someone feel seen.
That’s what makes Fred.
How to Become a Fred
Start where you are.
You don’t need to overhaul your schedule or reinvent your systems. Just show up with more intention.
Ask yourself:
- What’s one interaction I can turn into an experience today?
- Who around me needs to feel more noticed or cared for?
- What small act of excellence could create a ripple of impact?
You never know what story someone will tell later. You just might be the Fred they remember.
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact
The beauty of The Fred Factor is that it reminds us leadership isn’t reserved for the spotlight.
You don’t need a promotion to show up with purpose. You just need to decide that this moment, this message, this interaction matters.
So here’s my challenge: Be a Fred.
Look for the small moments. Lead with care. Choose excellence when no one’s watching.
Because when you do, people won’t just remember what you did, they’ll remember how you made them feel.
And that’s what changes lives.
Want to Build Your Own “Fred” Habits?
If you want to build rhythms of excellence, intentionality, and personal growth into your leadership, grab our free 30-Day Leadership Growth Plan. Inside, you’ll discover:
- Four daily non-negotiables that fuel your growth
- A monthly rhythm that transforms how you lead your team
- Simple but powerful leadership habits that keep you aligned and focused
And the best part? It takes less than 30 minutes a day.
👉 Download your free 30-Day Leadership Growth Plan
🎥 Watch: The Fred Factor, How Small Acts of Excellence Create Extraordinary Leaders
If this message resonated with you, I recorded a short video diving even deeper into The Fred Factor, how small, intentional acts of excellence can transform your leadership, your team, and your culture.
In the video, I share real-life examples from our team at Text In Church and walk through simple ways you can start creating “Fred moments” in your everyday leadership.
After you watch, take a moment to reflect:
“What’s one small thing I can do today to lead with more care and intention?”
Because when you lead like Fred, you don’t just make an impression, you leave a legacy.
About Tyler Smith
Tyler Smith is the co-founder and CEO of Text In Church, a communication platform built to help churches connect with their people beyond Sunday mornings. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Tyler shares practical strategies to help church and business leaders grow with clarity and confidence.
He’s a husband, dad, and lifelong learner who’s passionate about building systems that empower people and strengthen communities.
👉 Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn for more leadership and communication insights.
