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Most kids learn their first business lesson behind a lemonade stand. I learned mine by silently observing everything my Dad did; a true businessman through and through.
My Dad spent his career in finance and leadership, ultimately serving as CEO of an agricultural company doing $1 billion in annual sales and chairing the American Egg Board in Chicago. Another interesting part of his background comes from his two-year volunteer service mission in Argentina, and lead guitarist and singer in a rock band!
He grew up in the 60s and 70s in Long Beach, California, and raised four kids in Orange County, CA, while having business experience all over the U.S. That unique résumé turned our dinner table into the world’s most fascinating MBA program.
Between bites of omelettes (his company sold eggs) and bacon, he’d share business leadership lessons through stories of his experiences at work.
Most importantly, Dad lived every principle he preached. He didn’t only teach business; he modeled high character. When we visited their headquarters with him, we watched him walk through the warehouse and speak Spanish with all the workers there, building relationships and checking on his people. He’d then be able to switch gears and get into a board room for a large acquisition meeting, all without changing who he was.
His example shaped the way I lead and, later, parent my five children. So this Father’s Day, I’m distilling three lessons he modeled so consistently that they’ve become the operating system for my business ventures and, more importantly, my busy family of seven.
Related: My Kids Got Me the Best Father’s Day Present Ever. Here’s How
Lesson #1. Kindness wins
Dad never believed that old saying, “nice guys finish last.” From the farm workers to the C-suite executives, he spoke to everyone with the same steady respect. And that wasn’t a tactic he switched on for business; it’s just who he is.
“You don’t have to be selfish to win and get to the top,” he’d always say. That made me understand that people feel valued, while respect naturally lowers friction in teams and raises results — a simple cause and effect.
I bring the same approach to my companies. We screen for character as carefully as skill, and we track how well teammates help one another, not just how they affect the bottom line. When people know they can raise a concern without blame, we resolve issues before they grow costly.
When business vendors see that we honor every agreement, they call us first when supplies are tight. Treating people well is a life motto that actually leads to business growth, because your people are your greatest assets in business.
At home, the rule stays the same. Our kids thank referees, greet the school custodian, and mail thank-you notes to their grandparents and neighbors. They’re starting to see that genuine courtesy comes back around — in friendships, in opportunities, and in the way they feel about themselves. That’s not charity; that’s how you build a life with a strong foundation.
Related: 5 Reasons Why Kindness Has Become the Key to My Happiness, Both in Business and in Life
Lesson #2. Wife comes first
When my mother was diagnosed with a rare, fast-progressing form of Parkinson’s at the young age of 60, Dad stepped down from day-to-day operations without a second thought. Friends called it “early retirement.”
He called it “loving my bride.” He learned her medication schedule, how to interpret her struggling sentences, adapted their daily schedule to accommodate her needs and still finds ways to take her on dates and occasional trips. Seeing him take care of my mom reinforces how important a strong marriage relationship is. That steady devotion reminds me that success in business is hollow if the person who believed in you first is relegated to s