My Daughter Inspired Me from The Most Surprising Places
This past school year, my daughter did something simple, but bold.
She stepped outside her comfort zone. And discovered a new side of herself.
She’s always been a STEM-minded student. An athlete. A community service leader. Always moving, always driven. But this past school year, she found herself exploring a couple of new subjects: poetry and graphic design.
Poetry had never been her thing. Honestly, she’d rolled her eyes at it in the past. But her English teacher reframed it—not as something vague or symbolic—but as a tool to say something real when plain language isn’t enough. And that unlocked something.
Same with her graphic design class. What she thought would be basic and possibly interesting turned into a whole new way to express ideas, emotions, and identity.
What made both experiences powerful wasn’t just the content. It was the teachers. They were authentic. Vulnerable. Passionate. They didn’t just teach—they shared. Their stories. Their challenges. Their truth. And for a student with a finely tuned BS-detector, that made all the difference.
She connected. She expressed. She grew.
And it reminded me of something we often forget as adults: Growth doesn’t only come from refining what we’re good at—it often comes from exploring what we’ve avoided.
As leaders, we talk a lot about strengths. Mastery. Excellence. But sometimes the most transformative growth comes from trying something new and being changed by it.
So I’ll ask you:
What have you written off that might deserve another look?
What’s something unexpected that could help you express yourself—or lead—in a new way?
Who in your life is helping you see the world differently, just by being themselves?
It doesn’t take a full reinvention. Sometimes, it just takes a teacher—or a child—who helps you see from a different angle.
Let vulnerability, creative courage, and LIFE inspire you.
Thank you to all the teachers everywhere for the tireless work you do to build our society and future. Keep inspiring!
