The King, The Royal, and The Servant

A Philosophy for Life and Business

A number of years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Mark, the owner of a local gas station chain. At the time, he owned around 15 to 20 Arco gas stations. If you value each station at about $5 million—which is a fairly conservative estimate—that brings his net worth to roughly $100 million. That’s no small amount. But what struck me most during our conversation wasn’t the wealth he had amassed—it was something far more profound.

We were talking about the people who worked at his stations when I mentioned how polite and friendly the lady behind the counter was. Mark smiled and nodded, acknowledging that she was one of his regular cashiers. Curious, I asked him why he hadn’t promoted her to manager. His response was simple but impactful: “She’s happy where she is.” And in that moment, Mark introduced me to a powerful concept that would shape my thinking for years to come: The King, The Royal, and The Servant.

Mark explained how each person in his business played a crucial role—not only in terms of the station’s daily operations but in the broader world. The King, the Royal, and the Servant. The King is the owner, the visionary, the one who takes risks and creates the empire. The Royal is the leader, the manager, the one who ensures that the King’s vision is executed day in and day out. Then, there’s the Servant—the worker, the one who performs the essential tasks that keep the system running.

I was struck by how simple yet profound this thinking was. Mark wasn’t just talking about a hierarchy in business; he was describing a philosophy for life. For the first time, I understood that not everyone aspires to be the King or the Royal, and that doesn’t diminish the importance of the Servant. Every role has value. Every person contributes to the success of the whole.

That conversation changed my perspective on life and business. I’ve reflected on The King, The Royal, and The Servant concept for over ten years now, often bringing it up in conversations and observing how it plays out in everyday life. The more I’ve thought about it, the more I see how this dynamic shapes not only business and career success but also social structures, community building, and personal growth.

It became clear to me that this idea was too important to keep to myself. The King, The Royal, and The Servant are more than just titles for positions in an organization. They represent a framework for understanding how society functions, how businesses thrive, and how our own lives unfold. It’s about knowing where you stand, understanding your role, and being open to evolving from one position to another.

Each role—whether King, Royal, or Servant—is integral to the larger picture. In business, as in life, knowing your place in the system and taking pride in that role leads to both personal and collective success. Moving between these roles is possible for anyone, depending on the choices you make, the education you pursue, the dedication you invest, and sometimes, a little bit of luck.

I believe this philosophy can help us better understand the world we live in and the way we relate to those around us. It teaches us to appreciate our unique contributions and to recognize the importance of every role—whether we are leading or supporting, managing or executing. This thinking has shaped my approach to business, to leadership, and to life itself, and I’m excited to share it with others.