3 Lessons from Getting Fired

Six weeks ago, I got fired.

March 3rd. Out of nowhere.

One day I was a director leading a high-stakes venture. The next day I was not.

My first feeling was shock. Then fear. Not for me. For my family.

That fear hit different than anything I had felt before.
But here is the thing about hard moments. They teach you things comfort never could. So here are the 3 biggest lessons I am taking with me.

Lesson 1: Alignment matters more than the title.

I chased the role.

The position.

The opportunity.

What I did not do enough of was ask the right questions. Does this place think like me? Do they value what I value? Are we actually on the same page?

I got led in a direction that did not match who I am. And even though I did not drive the car, I got in it. That part is on me.

Before you take any role, partnership, or opportunity, slow down. Ask better questions. A big title in the wrong place will cost you more than you make.

Lesson 2: Career is temporary. Family is forever.

I could be a strength coach at a high school or working with NFL athletes. My family shows up the same either way.

They do not care about my title. They care about me.

When everything fell apart, they were still there. That is not something a job can give you. And it is not something a job can take away.

If your family is not your priority right now, something is off. Fix that before life fixes it for you.

Lesson 3: Your values are not real until they are tested.

I believe in integrity. Honesty. Transparency. Fairness.

Easy words to say when things are good.

This situation tested all of them.

And here is what I learned.

Not everyone in this life is for you. Some people will see you as disposable. And seeing the best in people is a gift, but it has to come with your eyes open.

My values did not change. But now I know they are real. Because they got tested.

Here is what I want you to walk away with.

Evaluate everything.

The opportunity. The people. The culture. The alignment. What it costs your family. What it costs your integrity.

Because if you do not evaluate it, life will. And life is not always gentle about it.

I am still standing.

Still coaching.

Still building.

And I am more clear now than I have ever been about who I am and what I stand for.

That part, they could not take.

Thanks for being here. See you next week.​