Radical Acceptance:

A memory found me this morning, quietly pulling me back to March 23, 2014.

To an outsider, it might appear minor, just another day. To me, it was a profound reminder of a turbulent chapter in my son Ryan’s life. A chapter filled with sharp humor, deep struggles, and unseen pain. A moment echoing how each of us carries complexities that often remain hidden behind our smiles, professionalism, and daily interactions.

Ryan struggled deeply in 2014. He was coming home, and his social media post from that day reads vividly in my mind: "My dad freaked out yesterday that I was coming home and he said I could no longer talk to him...definitely worth it." It's a jarring experience to encounter a memory where two people recall the same moment so differently. He remembered friction; I remember something else entirely.

Not taking things personally is among the hardest and most valuable lessons I’ve ever learned. As a parent, especially as one who has lost a child, these glimpses into the past can be deeply unsettling. Yet, radical acceptance is the anchor that steadies me. Our relationship, like most, was beautifully imperfect. I made mistakes. He made mistakes. Each of those missteps was essential.

How do we navigate difficult conversations, circumstances, and moments of friction, both personally and professionally? How do we ensure we grow from them? My experience as a single parent reshaped not only my approach to life but how I viewed my role in the professional world. I did not view my identity as solely tied to parenthood nor defined by my children's successes or failures. The same for my career.

In reality, my children were my greatest teachers. They provided more profound insights into life than any book could ever offer. They revealed more to me about loss and resilience than any professional training ever could. Through them, I learned profound lessons in leadership, authenticity in business, integrity in sales, and the true power of meaningful communication.

In life, every person we encounter is quietly navigating unseen challenges. How do we recognize this truth and choose to engage with empathy? It thrives in genuine connections and the willingness to see the person behind the title or transaction.

Forgiveness, patience, and understanding are not simply admirable personal traits; they are vital professional strengths. Leading with empathy, responding with resilience, and valuing humanity above immediate reactions fosters trust, innovation, and profound transformation.

I share stories of my children not simply because they shaped my life, but because their journeys reflect the deeper truths of all our human experiences. Remembering them is a constant reminder that our humanity must remain at the heart of everything we do.

Leadership does not call for detachment. It requires embracing the entirety of what it means to be human.

We do not rise by standing apart. We rise by standing together.

Bryan Hayes

In the house that no one is in.