These Are Not the Principles You Should Follow

Why I Finally Wrote Mine Down and Why Yours Should Be Different

For a long time, I resisted writing down my principles.

Not because I did not believe in them, but because I worried that putting them on paper might make them feel performative. Like a checklist. Or worse, like a claim that having principles is what led to success or clarity.

That is not true.

The principles that guide me today did not create my path. They emerged from it. They are a reflection of what has worked, what has failed, and what I want to be more intentional about going forward.

And that is why I do not believe anyone should blindly follow someone else’s principles. Real principles come from being deeply connected to who you are and why you do what you do. As Simon Sinek says, they come from your Why.

This is simply mine.

⸻

Where These Principles Came From

My principles trace back to lessons I learned long before I ever thought about leadership, business, or strategy.

My dad kept things simple. Growing up, he repeated three ideas constantly, and now he says the same things to my kids:

• Make good decisions

• Play with confidence

• Be accepting of others

Those were not slogans. They were expectations. About character. About how you treat people. About how you carry yourself whether things are going well or not.

My mom reinforced those lessons through how she led and communicated. She believed that every message mattered. That silence was never neutral. That leadership was not just about being right, but about being clear and bringing people with you.

One belief of hers sits at the center of everything I try to build today. She believed that every child deserves at least one loving adult who truly cares about them and is willing to help guide them through childhood. She lived that belief every day, especially in moments that were uncomfortable or required extra effort.

That idea reshaped how I think about access. Access is not just funding or facilities. It is presence. It is care. It is adults showing up consistently and creating environments where kids feel seen and supported.

Those lessons slowly became instincts. And over time, those instincts became principles.

⸻

The Principles That Guide Me Today

These are not aspirational. They are practical. They are reminders for how I want to show up when things are moving fast, when decisions are hard, or when pressure is high.

Every Message Is a Leadership Opportunity

How we communicate sets the tone. Silence, avoidance, or unclear messaging always sends a signal. If I have responsibility, I have an obligation to communicate with intention.

Bring People Along With You

Leadership is not about moving fast alone. It is about helping others understand the why, the direction, and their role in it. Progress without alignment rarely lasts.

Create Access, Not Just Opportunity

Opportunity without access still excludes people. Access includes coaching, equipment, transportation, time, knowledge, and emotional support. If we want impact, we have to remove real barriers.

Focus on People Before Outcomes

Outcomes matter. Results matter. But people come first. When people are supported, challenged appropriately, and trusted, outcomes follow more consistently.

Be Honest, Especially When It Is Hard

Trust takes time to build and moments to break. Honesty is not always comfortable, but it is always necessary if relationships and cultures are going to last.

Play With Confidence

Confidence is not arrogance. It is belief paired with preparation. It applies to leadership, decision making, and how we encourage others to take ownership.

Make Good Decisions

This sounds simple, but it is often the hardest. Good decisions compound. Poor ones linger. Slowing down to make the right call almost always pays off.

⸻

Why These Should Not Be Your Principles

I am not sharing these because I think they are universal.

I am sharing them because I believe everyone benefits from doing the work of discovering their own.

The most effective principles do not feel new when you write them down. They feel familiar. Like something you have been living imperfectly for years.

Mine come from my parents, from sport, from leadership mistakes, from building teams and communities, and from reflecting on what truly matters when things get difficult.

Yours will come from different places. Different experiences. Different lessons.

That is exactly how it should be.

Principles are not meant to be copied. They are meant to be uncovered.

If writing them down helps you make clearer decisions, lead with more intention, or get closer to your best self, then the exercise is worth it.

That is why I finally wrote mine down.