7 Lessons I Learned From My Dad About Life and Leadership
Jun 16, 2024
Happy Sunday, Leaders!
Every Father's Day, I want to cry.
And it's not why you think.
I remember my dad.
He's an immigrant to the United states.
He came to America for a better life.
Trained as an engineer.
My dad got into medical school twice.
But daddy couldn’t take the opportunities.
Although he was smart.
Life had other plans.
I told him I wanted to be a physician.
Dad said it would be different for me.
My dad hustled to secure my future.
Put me in summer programs—a lot of them.
To pay for it, he worked multiple jobs.
Nights. Weekends. Overnights.
Despite ALL of that.
He was there for me.
Made sure I did my school work.
Got to know my teachers.
Even on the days I know he was exhausted.
From him, I learned the power of commitment.
But that's not all.
I learned seven lessons from him.
That I apply to my work and life.
1. The Value of Hard Work
My dad’s relentless work ethic taught me that success doesn’t come easy.
He showed me that hard work is the foundation of any achievement.
But hard work without breaks leads to burnout.
It’s essential to recognize when you need rest and recovery.
There are some days, I knew he must have been tired but he kept going.
2. Importance of Education
He prioritized my education above all else.
He made sure that I went to good schools and studied.
He believed that education could provide a pathway to your dreams.
He showed me that education could change your life.
3. Being Present Matters
No matter how tired he was, my dad was always present.
He attended parent-teacher conferences, helped with homework, and was involved in my life.
Being present for your team means recognizing when they’re struggling and offering support.
When I got rejected from medical school.
My dad was there offering words of wisdom.
Sometimes showing up even if you don't have the answers, can make a difference.
4. Sacrifice
He worked multiple jobs to provide for us.
His sacrifices ensured that I had opportunities he didn’t.
Sacrifices are part of life, but without balance, they lead to burnout.
It’s vital to find a way to give without losing yourself in the process.
5. Resilience
Despite not being able to attend medical school, he never gave up on ensuring his children could achieve their dreams.
Or despite coming to the United States and starting from the bottom.
His resilience in the face of challenges showed me the importance of bouncing back.
Your team will face challenges. You will too. The key is to harness your resilience.
6. Balance
While he worked hard, he also knew the importance of spending time with family.
This balance between work and family time is something I strive for in my own life.
It’s essential or preventing burnout.
Encourage your team to find this balance too.
We also took family vacations and work never interrupted our trips.
7. Integrity
My dad’s honesty and strong moral principles were clear in everything he did.
From him, I learned the importance of integrity in both personal and professional life.
He did what he said. When he said he would do it.
When leaders act with integrity, it sets a standard for the whole team.
It creates an environment where everyone feels secure.
They know they can rely on their leaders.
This reduces stress because there are no hidden agendas or mixed messages.
It means being honest about workloads, fair about expectations, and supportive when things go wrong.
These lessons from my dad shaped who I am today.
They remind me of the importance of hard work, education, presence, sacrifice, resilience, balance, and integrity.
And they’re crucial for preventing burnout in ourselves and our teams.
On this Father's Day, let’s honor all the (good) lessons our fathers have taught us.
As leaders, let’s apply these lessons to our own lives.
Happy Father's Day to all the incredible dads out there.
And to my dad, thank you.
Your lessons continue to guide me every day.
P.S. What’s your favorite memory with your dad?
That’s all for this week.
Always wishing you the best,
Dr. Beckford
P.S. Whenever you’re ready to build a burnout-free culture. Here are two ways I can help you:
- Boost your team’s profitability and well-being through a customized 1:1 presentation.
- Get answers to your questions in a 1:1 session.
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