What I Love About Being a Dad
Someone once said it’s not about muscles or money. It’s about moments and memories.
I believe that with everything in me.
It seems like yesterday I was holding the arms of my two year old daughter Jenna as she toddled through three or four inches of soft ocean waves on the Oregon coast. Wide eyes. Giggles. The kind of picturesque moment that turns into a long memory without you even realizing it’s happening.
Jenna is married now. A mother of four. She co-founded a successful real estate company with her husband. But in my mind I can still feel her tiny hands gripping mine on that beach.
I picture my son Jayce at the raw age of five, wearing a Robin Hood costume and cape in the backyard, swinging a sword and fearlessly taking on imaginary enemies. Today Jayce is married, a father of two, and he wears a law enforcement uniform. He’s still fighting battles. They’re just real ones now. He still keeps the streets safe for good.
Then there’s Kyle. Bleached blonde hair in middle school. Always the one making his friends laugh. He proudly made the craziest, funniest face for his school picture every single year. When he’d bring that picture home, Julie and I would bite our lips and pretend to be upset. Then he’d leave the room and we’d burst out laughing. That’s a memory I still carry with me. Kyle is a husband now, and a father to his daughter Grace. He’s thriving in the AI space, building what’s next.
I loved being a dad. I still do.
As my kids were growing up, I gave them three lessons I hoped they’d carry for life:
Beyond those three things, I’ve always believed kids don’t need perfect dads. They need present ones. And I have to give a boatload of credit to my wife Julie, who has poured herself into our kids and now our seven grandkids right alongside me.
Being a dad never felt like a job to endure. It has been a joy, even in the hard seasons. Especially in the hard seasons.
So to every dad out there building your own moments and memories right now, here are a few thoughts to fuel your journey:
To the very first leaders every child will ever meet, Happy Father’s day!
–Steve
As a master storyteller, Steve has unparalleled ability to communicate dynamic business and leadership truths through stories, anecdotes and humor. Harness the power of the “number one” predictor of professional success, impact, leadership, high performance and sustainable relationships in business and life. Steve’s highest rated keynote presentation.
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“The purpose of Leadership Quest is to help professionals develop their personal leadership, vision and emotional intelligence. Everyday I strive to help leaders and teams achieve their desired goals in sales productivity, leadership, time maximization, and life-balance. ”
About the Author
Steve Gutzler is the President of Leadership Quest, a premier leadership development company based in Scottsdale. As a dynamic and highly sought-after speaker, Steve has delivered over 2,500 impactful presentations to renowned organizations such as Microsoft, Starbucks, the Seattle Seahawks, Spotify, Boeing, Cisco, Starwood Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
A published author and thought leader on leadership and emotional intelligence, Steve lives near Scottsdale with his wife, Julie. Together, they cherish time spent with their three adult children and six grandchildren.
