“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
— Warren Buffett
On Veterans Day, please join me in honoring those who serve – and have served – our country. The freedoms, opportunities, and security we enjoy today exist because people we may never meet make sacrifices on our behalf. Their service creates conditions that allow us to build careers, nurture relationships, and pursue our dreams.
This principle extends beyond military service to every aspect of life. We all benefit from the groundwork laid by those who came before us: Mentors who invested in our development, colleagues who built systems we rely on, leaders who established cultures of trust and innovation. Recognition and gratitude aren’t just nice gestures; they’re acknowledgments of how interconnected our success really is.
The most effective leaders understand this deeply. They recognize that their achievements rest on others’ contributions. They actively seek to understand who planted the trees they now enjoy, and they express genuine appreciation for those investments. This creates stronger relationships and inspires continued investment from others.
But this wisdom also challenges us to think about what trees we’re planting. What are we doing today that will benefit others tomorrow? Are we mentoring junior colleagues? Building systems that will serve future teams? Creating cultures that will outlast our tenure? The shade we provide for others becomes part of our legacy.
In our professional relationships, this means thinking beyond immediate transactions to long-term impact. It means making decisions that consider not just what we get, but what we give. It means being generous with our time, information, and resources because we understand how much we’ve received from others.
On this day of remembrance, let’s honor those who served by being worthy of their sacrifices – in our careers, our relationships, and our service to others. The best way to honor those who planted trees is to plant our own.
Wishing you and yours a meaningful Veterans Day.
Happy Networking!