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Lessons from the Drive-Thru: Real Life Wisdom for Frontline Leaders
It Was Never About the Tacos
Leading a team is hard. There is immense pressure to deliver results while leading a team of unique, diverse individuals. As a Taco Bell manager, Monica Rothgery tried muscling her way through, working extremely hard, only to produce mediocre results. Over time, she learned that her job was not to run the business but to lead the team. Once leadership became the focus, turnover decreased, the customer experience improved, and the business grew.
In Lessons from the Real Life Wisdom for Frontline Leaders, Monica uses stories from behind the counter to illustrate the power of true servant leadership. Both new and experienced leaders will learn how
Shift the focus from “me” to “we” and watch the team thrive while the business grows.
Discover the power of using uniqueness to lead with ease, authenticity, and vulnerability.
Realize the potential to impact the lives of those of team members.
Anticipate the unexpected and persevere with grace.
Enjoy Monica’s sometimes funny, sometimes soul-crushing stories of her journey to discover the true meaning of leadership in Lessons from the Drive-Thru.
Leading a team is hard. There is immense pressure to deliver results while leading a team of unique, diverse individuals. As a Taco Bell manager, Monica Rothgery tried muscling her way through, working extremely hard, only to produce mediocre results. Over time, she learned that her job was not to run the business but to lead the team. Once leadership became the focus, turnover decreased, the customer experience improved, and the business grew.
In Lessons from the Real Life Wisdom for Frontline Leaders, Monica uses stories from behind the counter to illustrate the power of true servant leadership. Both new and experienced leaders will learn how
Shift the focus from “me” to “we” and watch the team thrive while the business grows.
Discover the power of using uniqueness to lead with ease, authenticity, and vulnerability.
Realize the potential to impact the lives of those of team members.
Anticipate the unexpected and persevere with grace.
Enjoy Monica’s sometimes funny, sometimes soul-crushing stories of her journey to discover the true meaning of leadership in Lessons from the Drive-Thru.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2024
13 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 24, 2026
It was an interesting and super easy read! Monica’s stories and reflections were authentic and applicable. I heard her speak at a work event, she’s a great speaker too. I hope there’s a Lessons from Thailand book coming next!
January 3, 2026
If you're a frontline leader, a people manager or just someone trying to manage in general... buy this book. I've read a lot of business and leadership books throughout my life and this one is one of my absolute favorites. Monica's vulnerability, stories and anecdotes hit home the principals of what she's learned in her long career with something relatable to all of us: lessons from a drive thru. I mean, who hasn't worked in some sort of restaurant job in high school or college? Often as leaders and managers, when we are doing the job others vs. our own role it may take a while to see the ramifications of those actions. It does not in a fast food environment and with hilarious detail and flawless story telling, Monica reminds us all to (lovingly) stay in our lane. I loved laughing at her stories and couldn't wait to hear the rest of certain parts of the book. Her leadership lessons are applicable to everyone! Buy the book for you, your team or your book club. Everyone can take away a heartfelt message and some laughs along the way!
April 30, 2024
A candid glimpse into the realities of business management, sprinkled with retrospective insight and actionable takeaways.
Do not be misled by the title - if you are a LEADER of PEOPLE, this book is for you.
Fully embracing a “put people first” attitude, this book will break you out of the monotony of MANAGEMENT and open your eyes to the fulfillment of LEADERSHIP.
If you truly CARE and take ACTION for the benefit of the people you serve (above, below, and as customers) then you will enrich their lives, and, in turn, enrich yourself!
Thank you, Monica, for ADDING VALUE to the lives of others. You’re one to be treasured!
-Michael Zimmerman
Do not be misled by the title - if you are a LEADER of PEOPLE, this book is for you.
Fully embracing a “put people first” attitude, this book will break you out of the monotony of MANAGEMENT and open your eyes to the fulfillment of LEADERSHIP.
If you truly CARE and take ACTION for the benefit of the people you serve (above, below, and as customers) then you will enrich their lives, and, in turn, enrich yourself!
Thank you, Monica, for ADDING VALUE to the lives of others. You’re one to be treasured!
-Michael Zimmerman
April 23, 2024
Genuine lessons for leaders
What I appreciated about Lessons from the Drive Through is that the author was genuine about her journey as a new front line leader. I related to her stories and was touched by them.
She illustrates her journey to learn that leadership is ultimately about serving the team. It is clear that she wants other leaders to grow in this mindset and explains the positive impact of this approach on teams and their work.
In an engaging style, this book relays leadership lesson that will help not only frontline leaders in the fast food industry but leaders in all industries.
What I appreciated about Lessons from the Drive Through is that the author was genuine about her journey as a new front line leader. I related to her stories and was touched by them.
She illustrates her journey to learn that leadership is ultimately about serving the team. It is clear that she wants other leaders to grow in this mindset and explains the positive impact of this approach on teams and their work.
In an engaging style, this book relays leadership lesson that will help not only frontline leaders in the fast food industry but leaders in all industries.
April 30, 2024
This book is fun, engaging, well organized, and insightful. The stories the author uses to illustrate the leadership lessons are enjoyable and articulated in a way that can be applied to many different leadership contexts. As someone who works in higher education, I found the author's voice speaking to issues that come up in my work all the time, and have been reflecting on several key concepts since reading this. Working with college students, I could see this book being very well received in courses preparing students for any type of leadership role.
April 16, 2024
Management and Tacos
Just got done reading Rothgery’s Lessons from the Drive-Thru and I’m stoked. I have a soft spot for Taco Bell so maybe that’s why I’m pumped, or maybe it’s because this book focuses on being a manager that lifts up their employees and treats them all like human beings for a change.
Yeah that’s probably it.
Seriously though, this was a great read. The stories shared illustrate Rothgery’s experiences so well and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the “Looking Back” and “Lessons”. They are clearly thought through and they wrap each story with a bow on top.
Just got done reading Rothgery’s Lessons from the Drive-Thru and I’m stoked. I have a soft spot for Taco Bell so maybe that’s why I’m pumped, or maybe it’s because this book focuses on being a manager that lifts up their employees and treats them all like human beings for a change.
Yeah that’s probably it.
Seriously though, this was a great read. The stories shared illustrate Rothgery’s experiences so well and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the “Looking Back” and “Lessons”. They are clearly thought through and they wrap each story with a bow on top.
April 8, 2024
Super insightful and real!
Whether you area frontline leader or not, this book is for you! In a very entertaining and relatable way, Monica reminds us that the very first lesson of leadership is taking time to get to know people and show them that you care. Everything else flows from that!
Whether you area frontline leader or not, this book is for you! In a very entertaining and relatable way, Monica reminds us that the very first lesson of leadership is taking time to get to know people and show them that you care. Everything else flows from that!
April 15, 2024
I loved it book! I read through it very quickly because the stories were just so good and relatable. The author got out of the military and used her leadership skills as a fast food manager...easy right? Wrong! I highly recommend this book especially if you've ever worked in the food industry or are just curious about it.
April 12, 2024
An excellent book with an important message
I am a relatively new business owner and this book has opened up my mind to leadership and what that can mean for myself and my team! I’m glad I’m learning this now, because this has principles that I will incorporate into this business and every business I run from here on out. Very well done!
I am a relatively new business owner and this book has opened up my mind to leadership and what that can mean for myself and my team! I’m glad I’m learning this now, because this has principles that I will incorporate into this business and every business I run from here on out. Very well done!
September 5, 2025
Quick and easy read with digestible stories about leadership! Monica did a great job showing real life examples and makes me want to be a better leader at work.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews