Lessons From a Father’s Legacy
Today would have been my dad’s birthday – one of those days each year where I tend to be more sentimental and introspective. The small wooden placard that sat on his desk at work for years now sits on my office windowsill and has been a catalyst for a flood of memories lately. I honestly have no idea where it came from, but it somehow encapsulates so much about who he was:
“DO SOMETHING, LEAD, FOLLOW OR GET OUT OF THE WAY.”
That phrase is now a daily reminder of the lessons he lived by, and the values he passed down to me.
“DO SOMETHING”
My dad was not a man that allowed himself much idle time. He was always doing something, and as soon as one project was finished, there were others waiting.
He would often say “you’ll never get finished if you don’t get started.” It was his version of “a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”
“Doing” often meant helping others. Whether it was doing something to help a family member or friend or making things easier for my mom at home, he worked hard to make things better for those around him.
He was the embodiment of “do it right the first time.” Across many different jobs, attention to detail and quality workmanship were non-negotiable. “Details matter” he would often say, even when it required extra effort.
Takeaway: Action creates momentum. Do it right, or not at all!
“LEAD”
He showed that leaders don’t need titles. Even without a formal role, he still influenced outcomes and those around him by being the right kind of role model for the situation.
He demonstrated leadership through building trust, acting with integrity, following through on commitments, being direct and showing compassion at the same time, and sacrifice personally for the good of the family (both at home and at work).
He was a connector and a harmonizer, able to bring people together and create an environment where everyone would feel seen, heard and successful.
Takeaway: Leadership is a daily choice, not a job description.
“FOLLOW”
Where there were structure and hierarchy to respect, he did all he could do to help others succeed. His “team first” attitude and commitment to a successful outcome meant he listened and rallied when needed.
He was deeply analytical and humble enough to recognize when someone else’s idea was better than his own. When he could connect the dots logically, he was all in.
He always had an atlas in the car and wasn’t afraid to either stop and ask for directions or take the time to analyze the map for options. “Going with plan B is better than being stalled with plan A,” was his way of showing there’s more than one way to reach your goal.
Takeaway: Sometimes the best move is to listen, adapt, and support the team.
“GET OUT OF THE WAY”
“When you’ve got no business being there, you should leave” was one of the ways that he emphasized the importance of making good decisions.
After I got my Learner’s Permit, he told me “it doesn’t matter how good of a driver you are, if you’re not paying attention to what’s happening around you, you can get hurt in a hurry.” Beyond driving, it was his way of saying that we can’t control everything around us, stay aware and be prepared.
And perhaps the one piece of advice that sums up his legacy: “sometimes you just have to go find the answer.” Success isn’t guaranteed or always easy – but if it matters enough to you, you’ll figure it out.
Takeaway: Progress sometimes means letting go—or seeking new paths.
I’m grateful for the lessons that little placard brings to mind, and even more grateful to have learned them firsthand from my dad.
What words or reminders guide you when you face a crossroads? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Let’s keep learning from those who shaped us.