In honor of Father’s Day, shout out to my dad!
(Hi, Dad, if you’re reading this 👋)
I learned many, many things from my dad about business (and life!).
Values like:
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Integrity
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Work ethic
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Discipline
Habits like:
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Taking a 15 minute couch (or floor) nap for maximum productivity
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Be home for family dinner and don’t talk about work!
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Work with people you like and trust
A few of the most important lessons didn’t look business-y at all.
Small moments that made a big impact.
Here are 4 moments that have stuck with me for decades.
To my dad — and all the dads — thanks for empowering your children. Especially the daughters.
We’re all stronger and more resilient because our dads spent time with us.
(To my mom and all the moms — ditto but that’s a separate post! 😉)
I was a fastpitch softball pitcher for 10+ years with my dad as #1 practice buddy and forever catcher.
At the end of a practice session, I’d pitch to pretend batters. He’d call pitches and we’d talk about strategy.
When I first started, I was afraid of hitting batters. If someone stood close to the plate, I’d adjust my pitches to accommodate them.
WRONG!
“If they crowd the plate, throw inside.”
My dad quickly taught me:
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You own the plate.
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If someone gets too close, throw a hard inside pitch. No change ups!
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If it hits them, it hits them. No big deal. Now they know.
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This is part of the game.
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You’re in charge.
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Claim your space.
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“Mistakes” (hitting someone) are okay. Make a mistake in a positive direction.
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Don’t take on someone else’s problem.
Playing hard and smart is a part of the game!
Basketball, another favorite sport played with my dad.
Yes, he taught me lots of basketball skills. Defensive footwork, layups, jump shots, post moves.
The most memorable?
“If you’re going to foul, make it count.”
If you’re going to make physical contact when playing defense, make sure it’s hard, aggressive, and don’t let them score.
Keep it legal, of course, but NO. WIMPY. FOULS.
Set the tone. Put your offensive player on their back foot. Make the most of the call.
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Start out strong.
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Begin as you mean to go on.
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Make your opportunities count.
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Let people know you’re serious.
It’s okay, in fact, it’s better (!), to be tough, aggressive and assertive. Yep, even as a girl 😉
During one of my high school softball seasons, my dad noticed me throwing softly.
I explained that I didn’t want to hit a teammate in the face.
Some folks had only played a season or two and weren’t super comfortable catching a hard throw yet. Totally normal when you’re learning! I was trying to be a good teammate and make it easier for them.
“You should not change your throw. It’s their job to catch it.”
Small moment, big lesson:
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Working to your potential makes others better
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Do your best. You can’t control how others perform.
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Never dim your light! Don’t lower your abilities or standards to accommodate others.
Don’t be sorry or change because you’re good! It’s their job to level up, not your job to lower down.
My dad didn’t do any of the stereotypical protective dad stuff.
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No interrogation when I brought a boy home
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No telling me to change my outfit (that was my mom 😂)
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No offering to “take care of it” if someone was unkind
One time I asked my dad about it.
He gave me one of the best compliments:
“I knew you could take care of yourself.”
Small moment, big lesson:
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I was trustworthy.
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I was tough.
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I don’t need my dad (or husband or anyone) to protect me.
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I have all the tools and capabilities to manage my own self and life.
He taught me to pitch inside, foul like you mean it, and keep throwing hard for a reason.
So I had the skills and confidence to look after myself.
Thanks, Dad. Love you.
What lessons did you learn from your dad? Did y’all play as many sports together as we did? 😂 Any small moments that made a big impact?
Happy Father’s Day!