“Son, always keep a few bucks on you when you go out. You never know when you’ll need some cash.” — Dad
That bit of fatherly advice has stuck with me for decades. I’ve passed it on to my kids, and now, watching two of them prepare for college, I’m seeing how these small habits and inherited wisdom are starting to shape their own adult lives.
Just this morning, my daughter told me that her friend now keeps a $20 bill in her glovebox for “just in case” moments, an idea she picked up from watching her. It reminded me how foundational principles often live on in quiet, practical ways.
So why share this with you, a leader in the business world?
Because the wisdom behind that $20 bill applies far beyond emergency snack runs or forgotten tolls. It’s a leadership mindset: prepare for the unexpected.
Even with clear goals, strong communication, and intentional plans, every leader knows disruptions are inevitable: delayed decisions, unforeseen conflict, shifting priorities, or otherwise unexpected moments will test your patience, energy, and resilience. You don’t want to get caught short at a crucial moment.
So, here’s the question: are you carrying any “emergency reserves”?
Not literal cash, but something to draw on when your day doesn’t go as planned. Physical energy. Emotional bandwidth. Mental clarity. Spiritual grounding. These reserves matter more than we often admit. And they are easy to neglect, because often we don’t realize how important they are until we find ourselves lacking. It’s essential to identify and practice small habits that build these reserves.
For some leaders, this means sticking to a consistent morning workout. For others, it’s maintaining a daily rhythm of reflection, prayer, or meditation. Still others keep their tanks full by reading broadly, learning new concepts, or journaling.
It doesn’t have to be grand. Start small. Let your daily investments become a storehouse for your future leadership. A few quiet moments of prep each day can offer clarity in chaos tomorrow.
So, reader, what’s your $20?
And if you’d like help designing a rhythm that supports your leadership capacity, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out at [email protected]. Let’s build something sustainable together.
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