Of Fathers

Brightened my day to read this post by Satya Nadella. I have always found it fascinating to read what people whom I admire have to say about their fathers. This essay was no different. Here is a father who had passion for his work, looked at his job as a say to serve a cause and finally scale and complexity did not deter him. All very valuable leadership lessons learned from a young age in his own home. This made me think of the amazing privilege fathers have is being the guiding light for kids - they are looked up to, admired and hero-worshiped. They could have disproportionate influence on the child relative to time spent. 

As much as a mother may care and nurture her kid, build character and teach good habits, there is a difference in what she can do for the child versus what the father can. If one wanted to quibble about it as many women do, it's not even fair. Mother does all the hard work day in and day out but Father gets to be a hero teaching the kid to ride the bike over the weekend. It is how nature seems to work whether we like it or not. I have known some amazing fathers over the years and without exception they have kids who want to do their best to be worthy of the man they so admire. It gives then energy to strive and succeed.