I took Spanish in high school.
I took a little more in college.
Then I did what most people do… I forgot most of it.
For years, that wasn’t much of a problem. Outside of a few trips to Spain and Mexico, I rarely needed it.
Now I own a construction company.
Suddenly, I need it every day.
My primary in-house carpentry crew is exceptional.
They’re hardworking.
They’re skilled.
They’re reliable.
They also speak almost no English.
At the moment, the only English phrase they consistently use with me is, “My friend.”
Thankfully, I recently hired someone who is bilingual and serves as a bridge between us.
That solved an immediate business problem.
But it left me with a bigger question.
Should I make learning Spanish a priority?
Part of me says yes.
Communication builds trust.
It shows respect.
It helps me become a better leader.
The other part of me reminds me that my job as a CEO isn’t to become an expert at everything.
My job is to build systems that allow the company to grow.
If I chase every skill that could make me a little better, I may neglect the handful of responsibilities that only I can perform.
I’ve come to believe those two ideas don’t have to compete.
Building the right systems comes first.
Personal growth comes second.
That means I’ll continue relying on the people I’ve hired to help bridge the language gap.
At the same time, I can still spend fifteen minutes a day improving my Spanish.
I’m in no hurry.
I don’t need to become fluent overnight.
But if I learn a little every day, a year from now I’ll be able to communicate more effectively with people I respect and work alongside every week.
Sometimes we think every decision has to be either-or.
I’ve found that many of the best decisions are both-and.
Build the business.
Build yourself.
Just make sure you know which one deserves your best hours.