Sacrifice and Outcomes

Wednesday, February 7

Two of my sons had birthdays recently, with my youngest turning 8 and my oldest turning 15. Having their birthdays just two days apart is not good for the emotions.

Parenting is my greatest joy and most significant job in this world. My wife and I constantly discuss how we can be better parents, better relate to and connect with our kids, what we can do to set them up to develop the character traits we think matter as they get holder and become their own men. We’re far from perfect but are very intentional.

And yet nothing is guaranteed. Any or all of our kids could go the complete opposite of what we want for them (not in terms of career or success, but in character). They can reject everything we try to teach them.

Of course, that’s no reason to not parent with intention. The outcome may not be guaranteed but the work is still worth it. It’s making us better along the way, refining us into a better versions of ourselves. If nothing else, that’s a win.

Leading teams is the same. You can give, you can connect, you can advise, you can listen, you can encourage, you can care, you can sacrifice, you can teach, you can redirect. Yet having a great team is never guaranteed. Those you lead are human, with their own minds and hopes and dreams and desires and responses. You can do everything right (you won’t), and they can refuse to listen to or accept your leadership.

And yet it is still worth it. Because the only way it does work is if you show up and do the right things the right way for the right reasons. And if nothing else, you are getting better because of it.

Leadership requires that you give of yourself when nothing is guaranteed. And it is always worth it.
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Keep chopping wood. 🪵🪓

-Kevin