I recently lost an important mentor in my life, and it jolted me in ways I didn’t expect.
This experience reminded me how we take things for granted in life…
My mentor: Steve Lewine (from Westport, Conn., and Houston, Texas) was my financial planner, but he was much more than that — he was a family mentor, business advisor and personal friend. He helped me in many ways:
- Built my investment strategies.
- Taught me how to give back through enhanced philanthropy tools.
- Opened up broader horizons for my family through his leadership in Builders Beyond Borders, where my children did service trips throughout high school.
- During the pandemic, Steve also spoke to my Leader’s Edge peer group members, sharing calm insights about the markets when the world was upside down.
He touched us in many ways, which I now feel I took for granted.
A sudden change: A couple weeks ago, I reached out to ask his take on the current tariff chaos. Instead of a reply, I learned he had recently been hospitalized.
Two weeks later, he was gone — taken by a rare and aggressive brain disease (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease).
When my mom passed of ALS just under a year ago, it was heartbreaking, but her long illness had prepared us. Steve’s passing was a gut punch that shook me. That experience delivered a clear wake-up call: Life and business feel steady until a key figure is gone.
Anticipate the unexpected:
That’s why I believe in playing the “Beer Truck Game.”
If a key player on your team was suddenly taken out of the game, would you be ready?
Have the tough conversations:
Have you had the hard conversations with your spouse, your business partners, your kids? Are your plans written down, accessible and actionable?
As your personal estate has grown, have you put more advanced trusts into place?
Dig deeper:
Take the time to acknowledge the mentors in your life. Are there business or personal issues you are wanting to discuss with them but have waited because we think we have plenty of time?
Your challenge: Don’t be lulled by life’s daily rhythm.
You might have an excellent five-year plan, but life sometimes calls an audible.
Being a business leader is busy job, but don’t be distracted from taking care of the most important things in life.
Take action now:
- Reach out to your mentors and those you mentor. Become more open and vulnerable with your goals and theirs. Take that relationship to the next level.
- Set up a “Beer Truck” exercise with your team by quarter three.
- Write a thank-you note to those who have been extraordinarily important in your life.
True leadership isn’t about steering the ship when seas are calm; it’s about preparing for the rough seas that come with any great adventure.
If you want help or guidance for yourself and your own business, reach out to us and we can set up an exploratory phone call.
