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is one of those Hallmark initiated holidays, or is it? What do you think about when you think of a boss? Is that person merely just someone that you report to or is your boss a leader? As I think back over my lifetime, there are but a few that really stick out for me. Those few that inspire and challenge us, yet give us boundaries and feedback; those that celebrate our successes and create learning experiences out of our failures.
Even as I write and read back over the words I just wrote, I remember so many conversations with myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope about how being a leader is in so many ways parallel to being a parent and a coach. And as I listened to all of our children remember him during his service, I know that he earned and lived the role of a leader in our family, an example for all to aspire to.
At Turner Field years ago, we brought our son to see the game. I don’t know who was more excited as we made our way to the dugout where the visiting team was, Kawika or his Dad. And as the player approached, he called out ‘Coach’, which turned a few heads. You see, myDarlin’ was his soccer coach many years ago in Hawaii and he never forgot the lessons he learned and influence he had on him. He thanked us for coming out and signed a couple of autographs as I snapped photos of them. And myDarlin’ was so proud of the man that he had become, humble even in the face of fame.
One day myDarlin’ called me and said, I am going to retire and take the time to truly live. Working countless hours a week as a Chef left little time for relaxing and pursuing dreams, even though he always made every moment count. He had enjoyed working for this company for 28 years, and built lasting relationships with his co-workers and his team, but it was time to scale back and enjoy more of what life had to offer outside of the kitchen. And so, from a Chef to a Cook, he took a job of lesser responsibility; no emails to respond to, no performance reviews or schedules to write, but rather to just do the job he originally enjoyed so much – cooking. And the funny thing is, that even though he was just their co-worker, the team gravitated to him and looked up to him as a mentor and leader.
Her friends were so happy to reunite last year to celebrate her special day. They danced the night away amidst the tropical summer breeze coming down from the mountainside on Maui, and reminisced about times gone by, and times to come. And they gathered around her Father, myDarlin’, who was their soccer coach to get a team photo, just like in days gone by. As I snapped this photo, I thought about how proud I was to call this man myDarlin’.
Today, as the sun sets on Boss’s Day, I am filled with gratitude that myDarlin’ was so much more than a boss for so many. He was a leader, a mentor, a coach, a Father. He was a man who inspired and challenged, set boundaries and gave feedback, all while celebrating successes and creating learning experiences from failures. And I am so proud to call this man myDarlin’.
#KeepLookingUp #Coach
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