LEADERSHIP STARTS AT HOME

This photo was taken on the day I retired from the Coast Guard in 2004, standing next to my father.

When I look at it now, I see far more than a uniform and medals. I see where it all began.

My dad never wore a military uniform, but he taught me the fundamentals of leadership long before I ever stepped aboard a ship. He showed me that real leadership starts at home in how you treat people, keep your word, handle hard work, and face adversity without excuses.

He didn’t talk much about “values” or “leadership principles.” He just lived them every day. Watching him taught me that your character is the foundation for everything that comes later: the jobs, the titles, the responsibilities.

As leaders, we are where we came from. Our early lessons shape the way we serve, lead, and influence others.

So, often when I’m asked about leadership development, I think of my dad, and how it started long before the Coast Guard or business. Like many of his generation, he was a man who led by example.