Leading with Perspective: Lessons from a Walk Down Memory Lane
This past weekend, my wife and I took our daughters to The University of Georgia—the place where our own story began. Between the Hedes, we met, fell in love, and built the foundation of our life together. The trip was meant to be a fun weekend getaway, yet it also had a purpose: helping our oldest daughter, a rising senior in high school, explore the possibility of attending UGA.
As we walked the campus, we found ourselves reminiscing—not just about the fun and freedom of those years, but also about the challenges, failures, and lessons we learned. The experience was both nostalgic and humbling. We saw students walking around campus, full of energy and ambition, just as we once were. It was graduation season, and many were taking photos in their caps and gowns, celebrating their achievements with an air of confidence that said, We made it.
I remember that feeling well—the belief that the hard work was behind me and that I had finally arrived. But looking back now, I see how much of my journey was still ahead. That moment of graduation wasn’t an ending; it was a beginning. And the lessons I needed most—the ones that would shape my leadership, my work, and my life—were yet to come.
As leaders, we often face similar illusions. We think that success will bring clarity, that reaching a milestone means we have finally arrived. But the best leaders understand that true leadership is a continuous journey of growth, learning, and adaptation. Leadership is not about arriving—it’s about evolving.
Three Leadership Lessons from a Walk Down Memory Lane
1. Don’t Get Stuck in the “What Ifs”
Walking through campus, I couldn’t help but ask myself, What if? What if I had worked harder? Taken different opportunities? Chosen another path? It’s easy to reflect on past decisions with a mix of nostalgia and regret.
As leaders, we do this all the time. We wonder if we should have handled a situation differently, hired a different person, or taken another risk. But the best leaders don’t dwell on the what ifs—they focus on what’s next. They understand that every decision, even the ones that didn’t turn out as planned, provides valuable learning. Reflection is essential, but regret is paralyzing. Your past decisions have shaped you, but they don’t define you. Keep moving forward.
2. Growth Comes Through Experience, Not Just Achievement
Seeing those graduates celebrate reminded me of a powerful truth: Success is not a finish line. The degree they earned is important, but it’s only the foundation for what comes next.
In leadership, we often set goals that feel like destinations—hitting a fundraising target, expanding a program, or completing a strategic plan. But reaching a goal is not the end of growth. The process of getting there—the struggles, the adjustments, the perseverance—is where real leadership is developed.
Good leaders don’t measure success by achievements alone; they measure it by how much they’ve learned and how well they’ve positioned themselves and their teams for the future. Leadership isn’t about a single accomplishment—it’s about sustained impact.
3. Guide Without Controlling
As much as my wife and I loved our time at UGA, we had to remind ourselves that this visit wasn’t about us—it was about our daughter. She will have her own journey, whether at UGA or somewhere else. We can share our experiences, but we can’t (and shouldn’t) make decisions for her.
The same is true in leadership. One of the hardest lessons to learn is that our role is to guide, not control. Strong leaders invest in developing their people, equipping them with the tools and wisdom they need—but they also allow them to forge their own path. Leadership isn’t about making every decision for your team; it’s about empowering them to make decisions with confidence.
If we hold on too tightly, we stifle innovation and growth. If we let go entirely, we abandon our responsibility. The best leaders strike a balance—they offer perspective, support, and mentorship while allowing others the space to develop their own leadership.
Final Thought: Leadership Is a Journey, Not a Destination
Walking through our old campus reminded me of just how much has changed—not just in the buildings and streets, but in me. The person I was then had no idea the lessons that lay ahead. And even now, after years of leadership, I know I still have much to learn.
The best leaders never believe they’ve arrived. They recognize that growth, learning, and leadership itself is a journey. Whether you’re celebrating a win, facing a setback, or mentoring the next generation, remember: Your job isn’t to hold onto the past—it’s to keep leading into the future.
Reflection Questions for Leaders:
Do you find yourself stuck in the what ifs of past decisions? How can you shift your mindset toward what’s next?
Are you measuring leadership success by achievements, or by long-term growth and impact?
How well are you balancing guidance and empowerment with your team? Are you holding on too tightly, or are you providing the right level of support?
Leadership is about the long game. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep leading forward.
What’s one lesson you’ve learned in leadership that you didn’t fully appreciate until you looked back on it later? Share your thoughts in the comments!