Reflections on Fatherhood
How the single most important job I have ever held has changed me.
I’ve had a lot of jobs in my life and none are as important as this one:
Dad.
It’s the only job I’ll have for the rest of my life.
No sabbaticals.
No moving on to the next thing.
No exit plan.
So I want to make sure I do it right.
Becoming a dad changed everything for me.
In all the obvious ways.
And in the quiet, unexpected ways too.
I found my identity.
The stuff that used to matter began to matter less.
- The cars
- The clothes
- The fancy meals
- The “social status”
- The big corporate job
All of it took a backseat to my new mission: being a kickass parent.
What really mattered was showing up, being present, and leading by example.
I became more self-assured.
More grounded.
More motivated to be the best version of myself for them.
That’s why I’ve spent the last two years in the gym, slowly but surely losing 50 pounds.
Not just to look better, but to live longer, stay stronger, and make sure I’m around for as long as possible.
I’ve only been a dad for eight years, but it’s been the most fulfilling job I’ve ever had.
(And yes, sometimes the most trying too.)
But I’ll never quit.
Every night, I tell my kids the same three things:
- I love you.
- I’m proud of you.
- I’m happy to be your dad.
Because I want them to carry that message with them for the rest of their lives.
Some people think family and parenting don’t belong on LinkedIn, but I think that’s exactly where they belong.
Being a parent is the only job we get for life.
That makes it one of the most important roles any of us will ever hold.
Someday, our kids will be able to scroll back and see how we showed up.
What we stood for.
What we believed in.
Who we were “back in the day.”
How we showed up for ourselves and others.
I’m not just building my personal brand here.
I’m building my legacy.
And I hope Brooks and Piper will look back one day and feel proud to be my kids.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads in my orbit.
And a special thank you to the women who made it possible.
If you’re a dad celebrating your with your cubs today, I’d love to see the moments you’ve captured below.
Hi5,
LD
🌶️
