Lessons From Dad
Julie June 17th, 2010
To commemorate Father’s Day we asked Danny Windham, CEO of Digium and Steve Harvey, VP of WorldWide Sales to share nuggets of wisdom that were bestowed upon them by their dads. The lessons taught can benefit many people and apply to home and work life.
Danny Windham -
What I do in my job today is very different from anything my Dad has ever done. In fact, I suspect what I do would not meet Dad’s definition of work. However, the life lessons he taught me while growing up, primarily through example, shape not WHAT I do, but HOW I do them. And in that regard, I’d like to think that we have a lot in common.
I remember those summer mornings, when Dad would knock on my bedroom door and simply say, “Son, its five o’clock”. That was the time Dad got up for work, and as long as I worked for him, it’s the time I got up too. The day didn’t usually end until after 6 p.m. – which made for a long day if you’re doing manual labor on a construction crew. However, that was Dad’s work ethic.
The man is now 75 years old and still gets up every morning and goes to work. He pumps about a half dozen oil wells every day – 365 days a year. And since that takes only half a day, he also farms – which means taking care of the land, the animals, and the farm equipment. Mind you, he doesn’t have to – but claims he needs to – it’s who he is. I can relate. It is the work ethic with which he faces every day that has left a lasting impression on me. And, it wasn’t just the quantity of work that was important to Dad, it was the quality too. How many times did I hear, “anything worth doing is worth doing right.” No cutting corners, no sloppy work, no incomplete tasks. If you couldn’t be proud to put your name on your work – then you weren’t going to last long on Dad’s crew. So, while Dad and I perform very different jobs in life, I now appreciate the fact that shaping the WAY one does their job is universal.
So, on this Father’s Day, I’d like to say “Thanks Dad!” for all those lessons you never realized you were teaching.
“Happy Father’s Day!”
Steve Harvey -
About a year and a half ago my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As I have watched him deal with this particularly brutal disease, I am constantly amazed that he never once considered the negative effects that it would have on him in terms of shortening his life or disrupting the quality of his life. From the moment he became aware of his diagnosis; his focus was outbound on those around him. Never once has he said “why me” or “why now.”
When he does talk about his illness, it is always in the context of making sure that others around him will be properly cared for and supported as his disease progresses. At a time when we would all expect and understand a somber inward focus, he has been of positive spirit and totally focused on the needs of others.
Even in my very late 40s, I am still learning lessons from my father. In trying to apply lessons from our fathers to our business lives on this Fathers Day, it is hard to think that focusing more on those around us, our customers, and less on ourselves builds more meaningful and lasting customer relationships.
Happy Fathers Day Dad!
About the Author
Julie Webb is the Marketing Communications (MARCOM) Director at Digium. She joined the company in January 2005 after spending many years in the telecommunications industry. Julie and her team are responsible for trade shows and events (most notably AstriCon) as well as corporate branding. Julie has a bachelor of science degree from Ball State Unive… more about Julie
