Yesterday, an urgent project meeting was scheduled for Thursday.
The purpose of the meeting is important. We’re reviewing trades and progress on a convenience store project that my company, CLB Builds, is currently constructing. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t even consider missing it.
Then I looked at my calendar.
My wife, Kat, is recovering from surgery and has her post-operative appointment that same day.
The appointment is nearly two hours away from the project.
My first instinct was to solve the problem the way entrepreneurs often do. I started looking for ways to do both.
Could I leave early?
Could I drive faster?
Could Kat take an Uber?
The moment that thought crossed my mind, I stopped myself.
A last-minute meeting does not automatically become more important than my family.
The project is being managed well. The team knows what they’re doing. The meeting can be attended remotely.
My wife needs me.
So I’ll join the meeting by FaceTime and drive Kat to her appointment.
Years ago, I probably would have made a different decision. I would have convinced myself that being physically present at the meeting was somehow necessary. I would have told myself that work couldn’t function without me.
The truth is that if a business can’t survive one meeting without its owner sitting in the room, it isn’t much of a business.
One of the reasons I work so hard is to create freedom and security for my family.
If I sacrifice the very people I’m building all of this for every time work demands my attention, then I’ve completely missed the point.
Building a successful company matters.
Being a dependable husband matters more.
Sometimes leadership isn’t about showing up to the meeting.
Sometimes leadership is knowing which meeting matters most.