I’ll never forget those words.

About 10 years ago, I was sitting at dinner with Dr. Joseph DiPietro, the former President of the University of Tennessee, when he shared that advice with me.

At the time, I didn’t understand it.

I was four years into my financial planning career, and I don’t think I had taken a single day of vacation, let alone a week-long one. Honestly, I didn’t see how I could. Too much to do. A young family to provide for. Too many goals. And no team. If I stopped working, the business stopped. But my family’s needs, my clients’ expectations, and my responsibilities to both didn’t.

Then he explained.

“The first day and a half, you’re still unwinding from work. The last day and a half, you’re already winding back up. Checking emails, looking at your calendar, preparing for what’s waiting when you return.”

His point? If you want a few days to actually relax, you need to take a full week off.

Those words have stuck with me ever since, and I was reminded of them again during my family’s fall break vacation.

I’m getting better. But the battle is far from over.

I used to wake up at my normal workday time of 3:30 AM, even on vacation. I’d have my quiet time, knock out a few hours of work, and then, just as my family was waking up and starting their day with quiet time and breakfast, I’d head off to get my workout in.

I’d even schedule phone calls when I thought everyone might be taking their mid-afternoon naps.

Did I miss some family moments? I’m sure I did. But I don’t live with regrets. I was doing what I believed I needed to do at that stage of life.

Thankfully, I’ve gotten much better at vacationing.

However, this past week, while enjoying fall break at the beach with Brooke and our three girls, I found myself fighting that same internal battle.

I have BIG goals for my financial planning practice, the Leadership League, Knoxville Summit, coaching basketball, and my personal life between now and the end of 2026.

So what did I do? I got important work done each day. Not work just to do work, like I did early in my career. Instead, I focused on the things that mattered most in each area of my life.

Still, there were moments when I was walking on the beach or spending time with the family when I caught myself thinking:

“How in the world am I going to accomplish all of this if I’m sitting here on vacation?”

Can you relate? Do you struggle with it?

Here’s the crazy part.

One of the biggest reasons I’m working so hard is so I CAN take these vacations and have incredible experiences with my family. So I can create opportunities for others and impact lives through the platforms God has entrusted to me.

Yet sometimes, pursuing those goals pulls my attention away from the very people I’m pursuing them for.

It’s a battle. And the battle doesn’t just happen when I’m on vacation.

When I’m working, I’m often thinking about Brooke and the girls. When I’m with them, I sometimes find myself thinking about work.

When I’m away, I feel guilty for not being there. When I’m resting, I think about what I could be accomplishing.

It’s exhausting trying to be great at everything that matters to you.

You know what ironically makes all of this even harder?

Often, the pressure to be great in every area isn’t coming from anyone else. It’s coming from YOU.

By the world’s standards, you and I are doing really well on the outside. Family is healthy and thriving. We are doing well in our careers. We’re making an impact. People look at our lives and think we’re doing great.

But inside, you and I know what we’re capable of. The goals we haven’t reached. The opportunities we haven’t pursued. The ways we could be better spouses, parents, leaders, or people of faith.

Often, the hardest expectations for high performers to live up to are their own. And sometimes, the pats on the back from the world only make it more frustrating because we know we’re capable of more.

So how do we handle this?

I certainly don’t have it figured out, but here are five things I’m learning that are helping me vacation better, relax more, and ironically, succeed at a higher level.

1. Be present where you are.

A couple of months ago, a CEO of a major company who’s part of our Leadership League/Knoxville Summit community told me:

“It’s amazing how much work you can get done in a few hours of focused work.”

He’s right. Research on attention and interruptions supports the idea that constantly switching between tasks hurts our productivity. Think about how often we spend 8 to 10 hours “working” but allow ourselves to be constantly interrupted. Then we wonder why we have so much left to do.

Maybe we don’t need more hours. Maybe we need to be more intentional with the hours we have.

When you’re working, WORK. Attack it. Eliminate distractions. When you’re with your family, BE WITH YOUR FAMILY. When you’re coaching, COACH. When you’re praying, don’t chase squirrels like I do. Instead… PRAY!

Whatever you’re doing deserves your best attention.

2. Don’t apologize for your ambition. But respect the people you love.

I love being around people with BIG goals and listening to podcasts featuring people who are doing big things. People who want to maximize their God-given abilities and build something special.

Don’t apologize for wanting to be great. Don’t apologize for being willing to do what greatness requires. But remember, just because God gave YOU a certain drive doesn’t mean He gave everyone around you the same drive.

We need to respect that. In addition, we can’t become so consumed with our ambitions that we ignore how the people closest to us are experiencing us.

Sometimes the people who love us most see things we can’t see ourselves. Maybe we’re physically present but mentally absent. Maybe we’re more impatient than we realize. Maybe our priorities have gotten out of order.

We need people who love us enough to tell us the truth AND we need the humility to listen.

Your next business achievement will never be more important than your relationship with your spouse or children.

3. Surround yourself with high performers who share your VALUES.

There’s something more important than surrounding yourself with successful people. Surround yourself with successful people who define success the way you do.

Think about the people you spend the most time with. What do they talk about? What do they celebrate? What are they willing to sacrifice to get ahead?

If your closest friends are constantly talking about making more money, growing their businesses, and achieving the next level of success, but rarely talk about their marriages, children, faith, or health, what do you think will eventually happen?

You may not realize it, but you’ll slowly begin adopting their definition of success.

This is one of the things I love most about our Legacy Group within the Leadership League. These are incredibly driven, successful people who want to grow their businesses and increase their impact, but they also care deeply about faith, family, and community.

We challenge each other professionally AND personally.

Because what’s the point of building an incredible business if everything else in your life is falling apart?

Be intentional about who influences your life. Their priorities will eventually influence yours.

4. Pray. And actually listen.

Recently, I challenged my business and life coach with, “How can you help me become your best client ever? How can we achieve exponential growth?”

I expected a conversation about strategy, execution, and accountability. His response caught me off guard.

“Have you been praying over your family? Your business? The Leadership League and Knoxville Summit?” Ouch.

He wasn’t suggesting I ask God to make everything happen and then sit back and wait. He was asking whether I was inviting God into these areas of my life. Am I asking Him for direction? Am I asking the right questions? And most importantly, am I slowing down long enough to listen?

I’ll admit it. I don’t pray enough. My prayers aren’t always specific enough, and I definitely don’t spend enough time being still and listening.

Sometimes I get so consumed with trying to figure everything out that I forget to seek wisdom from the One who sees what I can’t.

Maybe the next step isn’t working harder. Maybe it’s getting quieter.

5. Empower great people around you.

This may be the most practical lesson I’ve learned… You cannot maximize your impact if everything depends on you.

When I started my financial planning career, if something needed to get done, I had to do it. However, some of my greatest professional AND personal breakthroughs have come from empowering talented people.

Do you have a team around you that’s empowered to excel in their roles? If you’re not in a position to build a team yet, start with one person.

Jesus surrounded Himself with disciples.

Michael Jordan (second only to Jesus, of course! HA!) didn’t win a championship until he had a great team around him.

Look at successful organizations, businesses, and championship teams. They have great people who are trusted, developed, and empowered.

Maybe your next level of growth doesn’t require adding more responsibilities. Maybe it requires giving some away.

Not because you’re lowering your standards, but because you recognize that your greatest contribution may come from empowering others.

Here’s the added benefit that I realize more than ever after coming home from vacation:

The more I’ve empowered great people around me, the more I’ve been able to be present with the people I love.

That’s a win worth pursuing.

P.S. Shout-out to the GREAT members of our team! Each of you is incredible, and I’m so thankful to work alongside you!!

The beautiful challenge of being a high performer.

I LOVE chasing big goals, competing, building things, and trying to maximize the gifts God has given me. It’s awesome!

But it’s also incredibly challenging.

Because no matter how much I accomplish, there are days when I feel behind. Days when I feel like I’m letting people down. Days when I wonder if I’m reaching my full potential.

I’m thankful for what I’m doing. I’m proud of what we’ve built… BUT I know I can be better. I know I can succeed at an even higher level. I know I can make more of an impact.

And I don’t want to apologize for wanting those things.

But I also want to be a great husband to Brooke. A great dad to our three girls. A man who puts his faith into action. A friend who shows up. A coach who makes a difference.

I don’t want to look back someday and realize I achieved incredible things professionally but missed incredible moments personally.

And I don’t want to look back and wonder what I could have accomplished if I’d been willing to pursue the gifts and opportunities God gave me.

I want BOTH. And I’m guessing you do too.

That’s what makes this battle so challenging…but so worth fighting for!

Sometimes being a high performer can feel lonely because so much of the pressure comes from within. But I want you to know something.

You’re not alone. I’m right there with you.

In fact, our Leadership League is filled with people navigating these same challenges. People who want to win in business AND at home. People who want to accomplish extraordinary things without losing sight of what matters most.

So here’s my encouragement to you, and honestly, to myself.

Don’t lower your ambitions. Don’t stop chasing greatness. But don’t forget WHY you’re chasing it in the first place.

Be intentional. Be present. Surround yourself with the right people. Pray. Empower others…and keep going!

Because as I walked along the beach this past week, watching Brooke and our girls enjoy time together, I was reminded of something.

The professional goals I’m chasing matter. The people I hope to impact matter. The work God has entrusted to me matters.

But so do these personal moments. The conversations. The laughter. The memories being made that I’ll never get back.

I don’t want to sacrifice one kind of greatness while chasing another.

I want to give my best to the work God has called me to do AND the people He’s blessed me with. I won’t get it perfect. Neither will you. But we can keep getting better.

So go be GREAT at what you do. And be just as intentional about being GREAT for the people you love.

Because at the end of the day, what good is building an incredible life if we’re too busy to actually live it?

YOU’RE INVITED: THE TALENT ADVANTAGE

How Great Companies Find, Hire & Keep Great People

November 5 | 2:30 PM | Cumberland House, Knoxville

In conversations with members of our Elite Group, I kept hearing the same challenge.

Despite their tremendous success, many shared that one of the biggest obstacles preventing their next level of growth is finding, hiring, and retaining exceptional people.

That’s why I’ve put together a special event for our Knoxville Summit and Leadership League community.

The Talent Advantage will feature a panel of experts sharing practical strategies for attracting, hiring, and retaining great talent.

This event connects directly to my 5th point above.

Some of the greatest improvements in my life have come from hiring, partnering with, and empowering talented people. It’s helped me grow professionally while becoming more present personally.

If you’re trying to grow your business, team, or organization, or create more time for your family, health, and the things you love, you won’t want to miss this event.

Email me at events@knoxvillesummit.com with questions or to register.

Let’s keep growing together!

If this newsletter resonated with you, please subscribe and share it with another leader, business owner, coach, or high performer who might need this encouragement.

Follow us on social media @KnoxvilleSummit for more leadership insights, events, and opportunities to connect.

And if you’re interested in learning more about the exclusive groups of high performers within our Leadership League, reach out to me directly at events@knoxvillesummit.com.

We’re building a community of people who want to achieve extraordinary things without losing sight of what matters most.

Let’s keep growing, challenging each other, and pursuing greatness TOGETHER!

I’ve heard some version of that statement several times recently, across different areas of my life, and I’ve found myself wrestling with it.

Should we bring in a high-level leader or talented salesperson who might challenge the way we currently do things?

Should we add a really talented player who could change roles on an already successful team?

Should we implement AI, change a process, or raise expectations and accountability when things are already going pretty well?

Different situations. Same underlying fear: What if making us better messes up what’s already good?

And there’s another concern I’ve wrestled with personally and if you care deeply about the people you lead, you’ve probably wrestled with it too:

I don’t want to hurt the people who have been with us, worked hard for us, and helped us get to this point.

I recently experienced this in basketball. Adding talent can mean somebody’s role changes. Somebody may get fewer minutes. A player who has done everything you’ve asked may suddenly face more competition or find themselves in a role they aren’t excited about.

That’s hard. Business is no different.

Bringing in a talented new leader might change someone’s responsibilities. Hiring a great salesperson might disrupt an established pecking order. Raising expectations may make a loyal employee uncomfortable.

Those are real people with real emotions that you have a real relationship with.

And part of what makes you a great leader is that you care about your people. But caring about people and protecting them from every uncomfortable situation are not the same thing.

There’s a bigger question to ask:

Are we protecting a great culture or a comfortable culture?

There is a BIG difference.

When “Good” Gets Comfortable

I’ve been blessed to be part of some really good cultures: businesses, basketball teams, our Knoxville Summit groups, and others.

Think about what usually exists when we describe a culture as “good.”

Roles are defined and there’s a certain level of success. People generally like each other because relationships have been built.

There’s trust and predictability.

But they can also create something leaders don’t talk about enough: Comfort.

And comfort gets challenged when someone new walks through the door who is really talented.

They think differently. They ask tough questions. They bring experiences we don’t have. They challenge assumptions. They raise the standard.

We don’t always like that, right?

Suddenly people get uncomfortable. Someone’s role may change. Someone’s weaknesses may become more visible. The way we’ve always done something may be questioned. And when that happens, what do we often say?

“I’m worried about our culture.”

Have you heard that? Have you thought it yourself? I know I have.

But maybe the better question is: Is our culture actually being threatened…or is our comfort being threatened?

What Are We Actually Protecting?

Strong leaders SHOULD protect culture. At its core, organizational culture is the collection of shared values, assumptions, and norms that tell people what matters and how things get done.

If you’ve spent years building something special, you should absolutely protect it. But there’s a danger.

Protecting the culture can quietly become justification for protecting sameness or the existing power structure.

We begin bringing in only people who look like us, act like us, think like us, and fit neatly into the way things already work.

Instead of asking: “How much better could this person make us?” We start asking: “What could this person mess up?”

Those are two completely different lenses.

And I think the more successful we become, the easier it is to look through the second one because success gives us more to lose. But eventually, the pain of staying the same will be far greater than the temporary discomfort of making the right changes.

“Culture Fit” Can Be Dangerous

Here’s another phrase I’ve been thinking about: “I’m just not sure they’re a culture fit.”

Maybe they aren’t.

If someone is dishonest, selfish, unwilling to be accountable, disrespectful to others, or unwilling to put the team ahead of themselves, that’s a legitimate concern.

And you probably shouldn’t bring them into your organization no matter how talented they are.

But sometimes “not a culture fit” really means:

They’re more direct than us. They’re more ambitious. They’re more intense. They ask difficult questions. They don’t think like us. They’re quick to adopt new technology or AI. They may make some of our current people uncomfortable.

That’s not necessarily a culture problem.

Are they different from you? Yes.

But if their character aligns with the organization’s values and they are bought into the mission and vision of the team, they may actually be a great culture fit.

I’ve seen leaders unintentionally allow a good culture to become an exclusive club. “They’re like us, so they’re a good culture fit.”

At first, similarity can be powerful:

Trust → Speed → Cohesion → Shared language → Predictability

But eventually it can become:

Sameness → Less disagreement → Fewer new ideas → Resistance to outsiders → “That’s not how we do things here.”

The very culture that helped us become successful can begin protecting us from the people, ideas, and changes capable of making us better.

So what do we do? I think we change the question.

Instead of asking: “Does this person fit our culture?”

Ask: “Does this person share our non-negotiable values and bring skills, experiences, thinking, or behaviors we currently lack that could make us better?”

Someone can be louder than the rest of your team. Quieter. More analytical. More demanding. More creative. More competitive. More willing to challenge you. And they can STILL deeply share your organization’s values.

Protect the Values But Challenge the Practices

This may be my biggest takeaway from thinking through all of this: Protect the values of your organization. Challenge the practices.

If honesty is foundational, protect it fiercely.

If humility matters, protect it.

If accountability matters, protect it.

If serving others matters, protect it.

If work ethic matters, protect it.

If putting the team ahead of yourself matters, protect it.

Those are worth fighting for.

But statements like:

“We’ve always done it this way.”

“Our people aren’t used to that.”

“They’re pretty intense.”

“That might change someone’s role.”

“I’m worried some people won’t like it.”

…do not automatically mean you have a culture problem.

That person, idea, or change may actually be a catalyst for growth. Our job as leaders is not to protect positions. Our job is to protect the standard necessary to carry out the mission and vision we’ve been entrusted to lead.

A Great Culture Doesn’t Mean Everyone Is Comfortable

Sometimes I think we confuse having a great culture with having a culture where everybody is happy. Those are not the same thing.

A great basketball team doesn’t require every player to be best friends. A great business doesn’t require every employee to agree with every decision.

Creating a team where people feel secure without becoming complacent is difficult. I don’t want to build an organization where people wake up every morning worried about losing their job or their role.

But I also don’t want to build one where everyone becomes so comfortable in their current role that nobody feels the need to get better.

Growth is going to create some discomfort. Someone better may join the team. Expectations may increase. Your role may change. You may be challenged in an area where you thought you were already pretty good.

That doesn’t automatically mean the culture is getting worse. Sometimes it means the standard is getting higher.

Maybe part of a great culture is being able to say:

“I know I’m valued here, but I also know they care enough about me not to let me become so comfortable that I never reach my full God-given potential.”

A Great Culture Should Be Able to Handle Great Talent

Do you believe you’re a great leader? Do you believe you’ve built a great culture?

Then hear this:

If one talented person who shares your core values can destroy your culture, your culture probably isn’t as strong as you think it is.

If you and your team have done your due diligence, the best cultures should be able to add talented people while protecting what matters most AND pursuing what is possible.

So how do we do that? How do we protect what matters most, continue improving our culture, and pursue tremendous success?

Before you or someone around you says: “I don’t want to mess up our culture…”

Ask these questions:

What exactly am I protecting: our values or our comfort?

Would this person violate our standards, or simply challenge our current people?

Am I worried about damaging the team or about having a difficult conversation with someone whose role might change?

Are we hiring for culture fit, or accidentally hiring people who look, think, and act like everyone already here?

Are our best people raising our standard, or have we built a culture that asks them to tone themselves down so everyone else stays comfortable?

And maybe the hardest one for me: If I knew this decision would make us significantly better in the future but create some uncomfortable conversations tomorrow, would I still do it?

If not, why?

I don’t think the goal of leadership is to build a culture that nobody ever wants to leave or change. I think it’s to build a culture where great people want to come.

Great people want to stay. People are continually challenged to become better. And everyone understands the values that will never be compromised.

Business will change.

Sports will change.

Technology will change.

Our economy will change.

You will change.

The people around you will change.

And whether you like it or not, your culture will change too.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Our responsibility as leaders isn’t to prevent change.

It’s to make sure the right things never change while having the courage to change the things that should.

So yes, protect your culture.

But before you protect it, make sure what you’re protecting is actually your culture…and not just everyone’s comfort.

LIVE PODCAST: OCTOBER 15 | 2:30–3:30 PM

We’re excited to welcome Samantha Lane for our next Knoxville Summit Live Podcast.

Samantha is a TEDx speaker, time-management coach, and creator of Present & Productive. She helps leaders and high-performing teams become more present in their lives while becoming more productive in their days. Her simple framework—Prioritize. Plan. Protect. grew out of her own experience with burnout and a life-changing medical crisis. (presentandproductive.com⁠)

Her TEDx talk, “We’re Overcomplicating Time Management,” is a great introduction to Samantha and the conversation we’ll have on October 15.

WATCH SAMANTHA’S TEDx TALK →⁠

NOVEMBER 5

THE TALENT ADVANTAGE

Where Are All the Great People?

How to Find, Hire & Keep the People Your Company Needs to Grow.

Be on the lookout for details on a small, private Knoxville Summit community event on November 5.

Finding and keeping great people continues to be one of the biggest challenges we hear from leaders and business owners. We’re bringing together experienced leaders for a practical conversation about what’s actually working when it comes to attracting, identifying, hiring and retaining great talent.

Space will be intentionally limited. More details coming soon.

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE NEW LEADERSHIP LEAGUE?

We’re continuing to build new ways for leaders in the Knoxville Summit community to connect, grow and get better together.

Our new Leadership League is the next step.

Want to learn more?

WATCH: INTRODUCING THE LEADERSHIP LEAGUE →⁠

Follow @KnoxvilleSummit on social media or reach out to me directly at events@knoxvillesummit.com.

We have a lot coming and I’m excited about where this community is headed.

After being fired as a member of Coach Pearl’s staff, by the grace of God, I was rehired by Cuonzo—one of the greatest men I’ve ever been around.

When I found out I was staying, I literally cried tears of joy.

So I went to work.

I tried to prove my value every way I knew how. I was almost always the first one in the office and the last one to leave. I had my hands in nearly every part of the program. And after a year of working my tail off, a higher-level, better-paying position opened on staff.

I thought I was going to get it.

A lot of other people thought I was going to get it too.

Instead, Cuonzo hired his best friend.

I was mad. Frustrated. Disappointed.

And if you know me, you probably know what I did next:

I worked even harder.

But as the season went on, something started happening inside of me.

I began comparing.

I compared the number of tasks I had to the number of tasks this new coach had.

I compared my hours to his hours.

And eventually, I found myself thinking:

“He doesn’t work as hard as I do.”

Ever been there?

Maybe there’s someone you resent because they don’t work the hours you work.

Maybe their role doesn’t directly produce the revenue yours does.

Maybe their job looks more fun, gets more recognition or simply doesn’t seem as stressful as yours.

Here’s what I’ve learned—and what I still have to remind myself:

When we compare someone else’s role to ours, we often minimize their value in order to reinforce our own.

We make our skill set the standard.

Our work ethic becomes the measuring stick.

Our capacity becomes the expectation.

And when I do that, I’m usually wrong more often than I’m right.

Because we all bring different value.

I’ve Done the Same Thing at Home

My wife, Brooke, and I have very different roles.

I leave early most days and bounce from meeting to meeting, phone call to phone call, financial practice to Knoxville Summit, work to coaching and everything in between.

There are plenty of days when I come home thinking:

Man, I am exhausted.

The problem is, sometimes I walk into the house still looking at the evening through the lens of my day.

And I forget everything she has carried.

Her day doesn’t look like mine.

Her stresses aren’t always my stresses.

Her responsibilities are often completely different from mine.

There are things she handles for our family that I probably don’t even realize need to be handled…

because she handles them.

(P.S. True story: I didn’t know we were painting our house black until I went to check on the home build and saw that it was black. She handled ALL of that project. Thank God!)

And yet, how easy is it to compare?

I worked more hours today.

My day was more stressful.

You don’t understand the pressure I’m under.

Maybe you’ve never actually said those words to your spouse.

But have you ever thought them?

I have.

And I’ve realized I’ve done the exact same thing in business.

Hours Worked Can Be a Terrible Measurement of Value

For a long time, I placed tremendous value on hours.

I work a lot. I always have.

For a season of my life, I’d even say part of my identity was wrapped up in being a “hard worker.”

So naturally, I assumed the people who worked the most hours must be the hardest workers—and therefore must bring the most value.

Experience has taught me that simply isn’t true.

Someone who has spent 15 years mastering a skill may be able to solve a problem in 30 minutes that would take someone else three hours.

Did the person who took three hours provide six times the value?

Of course not.

Sometimes that 30-minute solution is only possible because of the 15 years that came before it.

I’ve had to learn this with my teams.

Not everyone has my role.

Not everyone has my skill set.

Not everyone works the way I work.

And thank God for that.

I have people around me who are much better than I am at things that are incredibly important to our success.

Some people generate revenue.

Some take incredible care of clients.

Some create systems.

Some lead people.

Some solve problems before I ever know there was a problem.

Their role may not look like mine.

That doesn’t make it less important.

Why Am I the Measuring Stick?

I think this is where we can get ourselves into trouble as leaders.

We start asking:

Why don’t they work like I work?

Why don’t they think like I think?

Why does that bother them? It wouldn’t bother me.

Why can’t they handle that? I could.

But lately, I’ve been asking myself a different question:

Why am I the measuring stick?

Seriously.

Who decided that the way I work, think, communicate, respond or handle pressure is the right way for everybody else?

The older I get, the more I believe maturity is learning to stop using ourselves as the measuring stick for everyone around us.

That applies in business.

It applies in leadership.

And it definitely applies at home.

Your spouse doesn’t have to carry what you carry for their load to be heavy.

Your employee doesn’t have to work your hours to provide tremendous value.

Your business partner doesn’t have to think like you to care as much as you do.

Your kids don’t have to respond to pressure the way you do for their feelings to be real.

Different doesn’t mean easier.

Different doesn’t mean less important.

Great leadership—and maybe maturity in general—requires us to get curious about what other people are carrying instead of immediately comparing it to what we carry.

So maybe change the questions.

Instead of:

“Why aren’t they doing what I would do?”

Ask:

“What am I not seeing?”

Instead of:

“Why is this so hard for them?”

Ask:

“What about their experience is different from mine?”

And instead of measuring everything your spouse, business partner or employee does against everything you do, ask:

“What are they handling that I don’t have to handle because they do?”

That question has challenged me.

Because the truth is, there are A LOT of things in my life and businesses I don’t have to worry about because someone else carries them.

And the convicting part?

I probably don’t say thank you enough.

So here’s my challenge for you this month:

Think of one person whose role looks very different from yours.

Don’t compare what they do to what you do.

Instead, recognize what they carry.

Tell them you see it.

Tell them you appreciate it.

Tell them their role matters.

And don’t just think about doing it.

Send the text. Make the call. Have the conversation today.

Their role doesn’t have to look like yours to be hard.

And it certainly doesn’t have to look like yours to be important.

Different doesn’t mean less. Different is often exactly what we need.

KNOXVILLE SUMMIT LIVE PODCAST — SEPTEMBER 10

I’m really excited about our next Knoxville Summit Live Podcast.

This Thursday, September 10 at 1:00 p.m. ET, I’ll be sitting down LIVE with pastor, bestselling author and business leader Mark Batterson.

Mark has written some incredible books and built an incredible organization—but what I’m most excited about is getting underneath all of that.

Mark and his team have given our Knoxville Summit community a special opportunity to pre-order his book Not My Circus that comes out October 20^th. Order it today!

We’re going to talk about the intersection of:

FAITH. SUCCESS. LEADERSHIP. BUSINESS. LIFE.

Not just what success looks like from the outside, but what it takes to build something meaningful without losing sight of what matters most.

And one of my favorite parts: our Knoxville Summit community will have the opportunity to be part of the conversation and ask questions.

So do two things right now:

1. Put September 10 at 1:00 p.m. ET on your calendar.

2. Follow @KnoxvilleSummit today so you don’t miss the final details and updates.

And if you know a leader, entrepreneur or business owner who would benefit from this conversation, forward this email to them and invite them to join us.

I think it’s going to be a really meaningful conversation, and I’d love to have you be part of it.

Until next time…

Let’s go make an impact today!

—Mark

P.S. Seriously—before you move on to the next email, think about that one person whose contribution you may have overlooked lately. Send them the text. A few words of appreciation may matter more than you realize.

Your family. Your employees. Your clients. Your team. Your church. Your friends.

You spend your days solving problems, encouraging people, making decisions, and carrying responsibilities…yet quietly wonder, “Am I doing enough?”

If you’re a parent, coach, business owner, teacher, or leader, I have a feeling you’ve wrestled with that question too. I know I have.

For me, July was one of those months.

On paper, July was incredible:

• Our financial planning team was recognized as one of the top teams in the entire country - a goal I’ve been working toward for thirteen years.

• I had the privilege of coaching an amazing group of girls from incredible families during another AAU basketball season.

• The Knoxville Summit continues to grow, and we’re working on some exciting things that I can’t wait to share.

• Our girls are loving their new school.

There was so much to celebrate. But if I’m honest...July felt heavy.

Not physically, but mentally and emotionally. Two clients and a cousin we loved passed away unexpectedly. Two others faced serious medical emergencies. AAU recruiting season brought pressure to help our girls succeed while navigating expectations from every direction.

At home, our daughters started a new school, and because of their modified year-round schedule, summer seemed to disappear overnight.

I had told my family that this summer would be different. I’d work less and slow down and spend more time with Brooke and the girls outside of a basketball gym.

Instead...July flew by.

Then one thought completely stopped me: I only have two summers left before Charli goes off to college.

That sentence hit me harder than I expected. While I’ve been measuring calendars, goals, and responsibilities...my daughters have been growing up.

Like Brooke reminds me often, I don’t sit still very well. Even when I’m sitting, my mind isn’t. I’m thinking about clients, our team, Knoxville Summit, basketball, family, emails I forgot to answer, and text messages I still need to return.

If I’m honest, it’s exhausting. Can you relate?

One thing I’ve realized is that no matter how much I give, I often end the day wondering if I’ve given enough: to my family, to our clients, to our team, to our players, to the Knoxville Summit community…

Is it ever enough?

Leadership has a way of making us question ourselves.

Was that the right decision?

The reality is that most people don’t come to leaders because life is going great.

They come when they’re discouraged, confused, frustrated.

When they need wisdom, encouragement, direction.

Leadership is an incredible privilege.

But let’s be honest...it’s also a tremendous weight.

While writing this newsletter, my mind drifted back to our girls changing schools. There have been moments I’ve wished we never had to leave. We loved so many people there.

But then God reminded me of something I had completely overlooked.

If we had never changed schools, we never would have met Myrah, a player who has become a part of our family. We never would have built friendships with people we now love deeply. We never would have experienced many of the lessons God wanted to teach us during that season.

That’s when I realized: I had spent weeks replaying everything that felt difficult about July, while almost completely overlooking what God had been doing in the middle of it.

That changed my perspective. It changed this newsletter.

And honestly...it changed my heart.

That realization exposed a lie I think many leaders believe. We think we’re supposed to have it all together. Social media certainly reinforces that idea. Everyone else seems to be winning while we’re quietly wondering if we’re falling behind.

As I was writing this, I even wondered...

“Should I really share this?”

“Will people still trust my leadership if they know I struggle too?”

Then I realized, I don’t trust people because they’re perfect. I trust people because they’re honest.

Having struggles doesn’t disqualify us from leading.

If anything, it reminds people we’re human.

I don’t have all the answers. I make mistakes. I still want to grow. I still want to serve people well.

But one lesson July reminded me of is I need to trust God more.

Whatever role you have...

Parent. Coach. Business owner. Leader.

You’re first a steward.

We’re stewards of the children God entrusted to us. The people we lead. The businesses we build. The influence we’ve been given.

Somewhere along the way, though, many of us start carrying responsibilities God never asked us to carry. We convince ourselves that every outcome depends on us.

No wonder we’re exhausted. God never asked us to carry every outcome. He simply asked us to faithfully steward what He’s placed in our hands and trust Him with the rest.

As I proofread this newsletter, one final thing convicted me.

I’d spent nearly the entire article writing about the burdens of July. I had barely mentioned the blessings.

My sister is expecting a baby. Our family is healthy. My marriage is strong. We were able to help some incredible new clients. New basketball opportunities have opened. The Knoxville Summit community continues to grow.

I could keep going. It made me wonder...

Maybe joy isn’t found in receiving more. Maybe it’s found in noticing more of what we’ve already been given.

Before You Go...

I’d encourage you to take five quiet minutes this week to write down the three biggest responsibilities you’re carrying right now.

Then ask yourself one simple question:

Did God ask me to carry this, or did I pick it up myself?

That question has been changing me. Maybe it’ll do the same for you.

If you’re carrying a lot today...

Remember this: You don’t have to have it all together. You don’t have to pretend. And you don’t have to carry what God never asked you to carry.

Let’s keep leading faithfully. Let’s keep loving people well. Let’s keep noticing the blessings we’ve been given.

Because in the end we were never called to do everything for everyone. We were simply called to faithfully steward the people, opportunities, and influence God has entrusted to us.

He’s got the rest.

And maybe it’s time we finally got some rest too.

I’d Love to Hear From You

What’s one responsibility you’ve been carrying that you know God never asked you to carry?

Just hit reply and let me know. I read every response, and I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts.

Knoxville Summit Community

We’re putting the finishing touches on something we’ve been working on for quite a while, and I truly believe it’s going to become one of the most valuable resources we’ve created for business owners and leaders.

If you’re not already following the Knoxville Summit on Instagram or LinkedIn, now’s a great time. I’d love for you to be part of what’s coming next.

January is full of energy. We set goals. Build routines. Buy the journal. Start the plan.
We convince ourselves: This is going to be our year.

Then life happens. Schedules fill up, work demands more, opportunities and distractions all start to how up.

Suddenly, it’s July…and we’re wondering where the time went.

The Mid-Year Reality Check

Maybe you’re exactly where you hoped you’d be. If so – keep going!

But for most of us, there’s at least one area that’s lagging:

• Health

• Work

• Marriage

• Faith

• Discipline

Something we said we’d do that we haven’t done yet.

Here’s the good news: The calendar doesn’t determine your future – your decisions do.

Not someone else’s. Not your circumstances. Yours.

The Question I Can’t Shake

Lately, there’s one question I haven’t been able to get out of my head: Where are my EYES?

Where’s my focus? Because I know this is true:

Where focus goes, energy follows.
And where energy goes, your life eventually follows.

So the real question is: Are your eyes fixed on excuses or on what you can control?

A Simple Framework That Hits Hard

I’ve started using the acronym EYE’s as a personal filter:

• Eliminate YOUR excuses

• Enhance YOUR effort

• Enhance YOUR execution

• Enhance YOUR energy

Simple, but not easy. Because if I’m honest, this forced me to confront something I didn’t love about myself.

The Tension We Don’t Like to Admit

I get frustrated when people don’t follow through. When commitments aren’t kept. When excuses show up. But then I had to ask myself:

Why do I expect others to keep their promises while I justify breaking the ones I make to myself?

It sounds like: “I’ll start next week.” “I’ve just been busy.” “I’ll get back to it when things slow down.”

We’ve all said it. And over time, those small excuses become habits. And eventually – what we tolerate begins to control us.

• If we allow distractions → they control our attention

• If we choose comfort → it limits our growth

• If we tolerate excuses → they shrink our future

Protect What Matters

So here’s a better question: Have you created the boundaries necessary to protect what matters most?

No one else is going to do that for you. Not your boss. Not your calendar. Not your circumstances. That responsibility belongs to you.

A Reset for the Second Half

As we step into the second half of the year, I’m not asking: “Are you ahead or behind?” I’m asking: Where are your EYES? Because the second half of your year won’t be defined by what happened in the first half. It will be defined by what you focus on starting today.

3 Ways to Reset Your Focus This Week

Here’s what I’m personally working on, and I’d invite you to join me:

1. Build One Non-Negotiable

Just one. A simple routine in the area that matters most, done regardless of how you feel.

If you want a practical framework for this, reply “TRIPLE THREAT” and I’ll send it to you.

2. Tell Someone You Respect

Accountability changes everything. When the right person knows what you’re working on, your follow-through goes up.

Text or call one person today and tell them what you’re committing to.

3. Start Small (But Start Today)

Don’t wait for momentum – create it. Keep one small promise to yourself today.

Ask yourself: What’s one action I can take in the next 24 hours? Then do it.

Looking Ahead

Six months from now, we’ll all arrive at the end of the year. What will we be talking about?

The excuses we made? Or the consistency we built? My prayer is that we’re celebrating the effort, execution and energy that changed our lives.

Stay Connected

If you want to keep growing alongside other leaders who are thinking this way, here are a couple easy ways to stay plugged in:

• Join us for our next live podcast – July 16 at 2:30 PM
  This is a simple way to learn, connect, and stay sharp.

• Follow along for upcoming opportunities
  Instagram & LinkedIn: @knoxvillesummit

If you’ve been on the edge of getting more connected, this is a great place to start with no pressure.

Final Thought

You don’t need more time. You need clearer focus. Where are your EYES?

—Mark

It’s become a rhythm for us. Right after school ends, we step away for a few days:

No tournaments.
No meetings.
No rushing.

Just time to think, pray, talk, and reset for the season ahead.

This year, I went in with one goal: Evaluate my priorities. Not because anything was obviously wrong, but because a lot is going right.

When “Good” Starts to Compete

Over the past several years, I’ve been entrusted with things I once prayed for:

• An incredible wife

• Healthy, thriving daughters

• A growing financial practice

• The Knoxville Summit community

• The opportunity to coach my girls

It’s all good. But here’s the tension:

Even good things can become unhealthy when they aren’t evaluated and prioritized.

• Working out is good…until it consumes your life

• Building a business is good…until it costs your family

• Serving people is good…until you say yes to everything

As leaders, one of our greatest responsibilities is deciding where to invest our limited time, energy, and attention.

Personally, I don’t want to be average at ten things. I’d rather be great at the things that matter most.

A Decision That Created Clarity

Going into that time away, I felt stretched thin. I was committed to too many people and too many opportunities. After prayer, reflection, and conversations with people I trust, I made a hard decision: I reduced several commitments so I could fully lean into one significant leadership responsibility for the next six months.

Not forever. Not indefinitely. Six months.

Why “Temporary” Changes Everything

That six-month window changed how I felt immediately.

When something feels like “forever,” it becomes heavy. The challenges feel bigger. The weight slows you down.

But a defined season?

It creates focus.
It creates urgency.
It creates energy.

Six months is long enough to:

• Improve culture

• Drive performance

• Evaluate leadership fit

…but short enough to stay engaged and fully committed.

Research actually supports this. People are far more likely to follow through when a commitment has a clear time horizon. “Forever” feels overwhelming. “For now” feels achievable.

Questions Worth Asking

That time away led me to wrestle with a few questions:

• What (or who) am I giving too much time to simply because it’s become routine?

• Where am I chasing outcomes more than evaluating effort?

• Am I giving things enough time…or quitting too early?

Because we’ve all been there:

• One tough week → we question the business

• One rough quarter → we question our leadership

• One hard conversation → we question our calling

But the truth is: Most meaningful things take longer than we want them to.

A Simple Framework That Keeps Me Grounded

One tool I keep coming back to is this:

• Execute daily → action creates momentum

• Measure weekly → what gets measured improves

• Adjust monthly → small corrections prevent big mistakes

• Evaluate quarterly → real results take time

It’s simple, but it keeps me from overreacting and under-committing.

Stay Anchored to Your Mission

One final thought: Make sure you’re building your life around your mission - not someone else’s.

Not:

• Social media’s definition of success

• Culture’s expectations

• Other people’s opinions

The older I get, the more I realize: Leadership is often about saying no to good things so you can say yes to the right things.

Not impressive things. Not popular things. The right things.

A Couple Next Steps for You

If this resonates, here are two simple ways to take action this week:

1. Run a quick “priority audit.”
   Take 15 minutes and list everything currently competing for your time.
   Then ask: What actually matters most in this season?

2. Choose one thing to commit to for a defined season.
   Not forever, just a clear window (30, 60, or 90 days).
   Watch what happens to your focus and energy.

Join the Conversation

I’d genuinely love to hear from you: What’s one area of your life or leadership that deserves more intentional focus right now?

Hit reply or send me a quick note. I read every response.

This idea connects directly to something every business owner will face: You will not lead your business forever.

Whether that’s in 12 months or 12 years, the question is: Will you be prepared when that day comes?

That’s why we’re hosting our next Knoxville Summit event:

The Exit Strategy: Preparing Your Business for Its Next Chapter

We’ll hear from experts in:

• Business valuation

• Tax strategy

• M&A

• Legal planning

3:00–4:30 PM – Panel + Q&A
4:30–5:30 PM – Community Social Hour

Even if you can’t make the panel, I’d encourage you to come to the social hour. Some of the greatest value in this community happens in the conversations, not just the content.

If you’ve been meaning to get more connected, this is an easy first step.

You’ll never have enough time to do everything. But you do have enough time to do what matters most. Make sure you’re investing it wisely. Keep giving it your best.

—Mark

P.S. Even if you’re not actively thinking about exiting your business, understanding what makes a business valuable tends to make you a better leader today. I’d love to see you there. Let me know if you have any questions.

At a glance, a lot of people look generous. We help others. We share resources. We invest in people. We support causes. But the real question is: Why do we give? Have you stopped to evaluate that lately?

Coming off the momentum of The Knoxville Summit – an event that required significant time, money, and energy – I found myself asking a hard question:

Why am I doing this?
Is the impact worth the cost?

That reflection led me here. I believe deeply that giving to our community matters. But I’ve also learned this: The motivation behind our giving matters just as much as what we give.

And if we’re honest, it’s not always pure.

Three Types of Givers

Most of us operate in one of three ways:

• Givers – Give with no expectation of receiving anything in return

• Traders – Give expecting something back

• Loaners – Give while subconsciously keeping score, expecting repayment later

And this realization challenged me.

There have been plenty of times I’ve operated as a trader or loaner:

• Encouraging someone so they’d encourage me back

• Giving to be recognized or to gain access

• Showing up because I knew I’d need something later

And when the return didn’t come? I felt frustrated. Disappointed. Even resentful.

Because it wasn’t really giving, it was a transaction.

The Shift

Over the past few years, my perspective has changed.

Am I perfect? No.
Do I still catch myself being transactional? Yes.
Do I get frustrated when generosity isn’t appreciated? Of course.

But I’ve learned something important: If you want to be a true giver, you have to be okay with occasionally getting taken advantage of.

Your ability to be authentically generous is revealed when:

• It’s not appreciated

• It’s not reciprocated

• It’s not acknowledged

A Quick Clarification

There are healthy transactional relationships in business:

• You do work → you get paid

• You sign contracts → both parties deliver

• Partnerships → mutual value exchange

That’s not wrong. That’s necessary. But that’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about the posture behind how we show up as leaders, partners, and people.

The Leaders Who Make the Greatest Impact

Think about the people who have impacted your life the most. Chances are, they weren’t calculating what they were getting back. They were focused on what they could give.

• Great coaches invest in players who may never thank them

• Great parents sacrifice daily without recognition

• Great leaders pour into people long before results show up

• Great teammates do the work nobody posts about

That kind of giving is powerful. And it doesn’t just change the people receiving it, it changes the one giving it.

What the Data Says

Research backs this up. Studies from places like Harvard Business School and the University of Pennsylvania show that generosity is linked to:

• Higher fulfillment

• Stronger relationships

• Greater well-being

• Long-term professional success

Adam Grant, in Give and Take, found that while givers can struggle in the short term, they often win in the long run, because they consistently create value for others.

Because people:

• Trust givers

• Follow givers

• Remember givers

Over time, opportunities tend to find them.

The Hard Truth

Here’s the tradeoff:

If you choose to become a true giver…

• Some people will take advantage of you

• Some won’t appreciate you

• Some won’t reciprocate

That’s difficult. But if your peace and purpose depend on how others respond, you’ll live frustrated. A true giver understands: I’m not giving for their response. I’m giving because of who I want to become.

Why This Matters for Leaders

This mindset changes everything:

• How we lead teams

• How we build companies

• How we show up at home

…and it changes culture.

Imagine if spouses who stop keeping score, if teammates asked, “How can I help?” instead of “What do I get?” or if leaders focused on creating value, not just extracting it.

That’s how strong organizations and communities are built.

A Simple Challenge

Before you move on, I’d encourage you to do two things:

1. Thank the givers in your life.
   Reach out to two people who’ve poured into you and simply say thank you. Encouraged givers keep giving, and impact multiplies.

2. Get honest with yourself.
   What’s holding you back from giving more freely?
   What’s one small step you can take to move from trader or loaner → to giver?

None of us will do this perfectly. I won’t. But I do know this: The people who make the greatest impact aren’t focused on what they can get – they’re focused on what they can give.

I’d genuinely love your feedback on this month’s newsletter.
How can it be more helpful? More impactful?

And if you’re not yet part of the Knoxville Summit community, I’d love to connect – no matter where you live. Reach out at events@knoxvillesummit.com and let’s start the conversation.

When my alarm went off at 4:00 a.m. on the morning of the event, I felt like I was waking up for game day at Neyland Stadium. Every year, the weight and pressure of the event feel heavy. I want the day to be special. I want it to be impactful. So many people invest valuable time and money to attend, and I never want anyone to leave feeling like it was anything less than worthwhile. My hope is that every person leaves having learned something new, met great people, felt encouraged, and been genuinely thankful they came. So yes… the pressure is real.

The day began at the epic and historic venue of Neyland Stadium. For some, the Summit started at 9:00 a.m. But for others, it began at 7:00 a.m. with a workout inside the stadium alongside roughly 25 Elite and Platinum members. The workout was challenging, but when you’re standing on top of Neyland Stadium overlooking the football field, seeing the Smoky Mountains in the distance, and surrounded by high performers encouraging one another, it becomes easy to push beyond what you thought you were capable of. People often ask why we begin the Summit with a workout each year. My answer is simple: when people go through something challenging together, like a tough workout, it brings them closer.

As I reflect on the event each year, it’s always the people who stand out to me most. This year, we created some incredible experiences: access to the football locker room, customized jerseys for our Elite members, and special Q&A time over lunch with Jon Gordon. But as great as those experiences were, they still don’t stand out to me as much as the people do. I shared this from the stage, and I’ll say it again: when high-level people come together with humility and a spirit of contribution, everybody wins. And I truly believe everyone won on Thursday. Throughout the day, there were meaningful conversations during our designed connection moments, over lunch, and during the social hour afterward. That was always the vision behind the Summit. I didn’t want people leaving with just pages of notes. I wanted them to leave with relationships. Because this is not just an event… it’s a community.

Yes, the speakers were incredibly powerful. One thing I always find interesting is that everyone seems to have a different favorite speaker. Not once have we had everyone choose the same person. While each speaker shared impactful leadership lessons, business strategies, and practical ways to improve personally and professionally, that still wasn’t my favorite part. My favorite part was something deeper. Every speaker talked openly about the challenges they’ve faced. So often, at conferences and events, speakers focus only on discipline, working harder, doing more, and highlighting their successes. But these speakers showed humility. Despite achieving at a high level, none of them pretended to have life completely figured out. They shared struggles, setbacks, adversity, and lessons learned through difficult seasons. And something else stood out to me: every single speaker pointed back to faith as the foundation of their life. Every one of them. It was a powerful reminder that no matter how successful life becomes, or how challenging life feels, trusting God remains essential.

As I write this, that reminder is helping me personally. I’m naturally a “doer,” so my mind immediately starts thinking about what’s next. How can I continue creating impact and value for the Knoxville Summit community? How can we make the 2027 Knoxville Summit even better? The speakers reminded me to continue trusting God, focus on what I can control, and keep bringing great people together with a desire to make an impact. My commitment to you is simple: I will continue to do exactly that.

Please feel free to reach out to me anytime. But for those who are part of the 2026 Knoxville Summit community, our next scheduled connection point will be our first monthly webinar on May 14. You’ll be receiving a calendar invite shortly. I know life gets busy, but I truly hope you’ll make time to join us. The more you engage with this community, the more value, encouragement, and meaningful relationships you’ll receive from it. And if you weren’t able to attend the Summit but have interest in joining this community of people striving to grow, lead well, stay humble, and make a meaningful impact, email me at events@knoxvillesummit.com. I’d love to help get you plugged into the community.

Thanks again for being you! Let’s keep doing all we can to make IMPACT!

In these moments, you don’t have the answers. You don’t understand why - or how - it’s allowed to continue. You may think you do, but you don’t.

The unknown.
The lack of understanding.
The loss of control.

It’s tough.

It’s especially tough when the standards and values you try to live by, and expect from others in organizations you trust, get tested.

We’re here right now. We have been for a month or so.

Can you relate? Have others let you down, lied, or told half-truths? We’ve all either been there or will be someday.

As I work through this season, here are eight things I’m learning right now…

1. Standards That Cost You Are the Only Ones That Matter

Anybody can say they value integrity. Any organization can post values on a website.

But when doing what’s right means losing something (i.e. comfort, a game, a business deal) that’s when it becomes real.

Values that don’t cost you anything are preferences…maybe even a marketing strategy.

Values that cost you are commitments. Convictions. Promises.

2. Your Reputation Gets Attached to Your Environment

Every environment has a culture. Every culture has a standard.

Whether we like it or not, what we stay connected to, we become associated with.

You don’t just choose where you are…you choose what your name gets attached to.

Fair or not, association becomes perception…and perception becomes reputation.

“Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

That’s not just about people. It’s about what you’re willing to stay around.

Choose wisely.

3. Leadership Isn’t Just About Growth…Sometimes It’s About Protection

We live in a world that constantly talks about growth. I’m as guilty of that as anyone.

“If you aren’t growing, you are dying.”
More opportunity. More responsibility. More exposure.

But this season is teaching me something different: Real leadership isn’t just about what you say yes to. It’s also about what you’re willing to say no to.

Leadership isn’t just about growth. Sometimes it’s about protection.

● Protection of your values

● Protection of your people

● Protection of what matters most

Not every opportunity to grow is good. Not every person you can grow with is right.

Sometimes the most powerful leadership decision you can make is walking away.

And sometimes, you don’t even know what you’re walking toward - you just know you’re protecting yourself from what you’re walking away from.

4. You Don’t Have to Win Every Conversation

When you’re in tough situations, especially with people on “different sides of the aisle,” the noise starts. Opinions. Assumptions. Stories. Sometimes even lies.

The temptation is to respond louder…to correct and defend yourself immediately.

But strong leaders understand: You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to.

• Not every person deserves your energy

• Not every comment warrants your response

• Not every misunderstanding needs your voice

Truth doesn’t need volume. It’s revealed through consistent actions and words.

Most of the time, the quietest person is the one others eventually see is right.

5. There Are Wins in Every Loss

Some seasons look like losses on the surface.

Things don’t go as planned. People get hurt. Challenges show up you never expected. Doors close.

But if you look deeper, there are wins everywhere:

• New relationships that will last a lifetime

• Stronger convictions

• Greater clarity

• Lessons that will shape how you lead forever

Not every win looks like a win in the moment. Some of the greatest growth in our lives comes disguised as disruption.

With the right perspective, we can be grateful even in the middle of it.

6. Strong Leaders Feel…But They Don’t Decide Emotionally

I can be an emotional person. Challenges come with emotion - frustration, disappointment, anger, even hurt.

As leaders, we can’t ignore emotions, but we also can’t be led by them.

Some of the best leaders I know feel deeply. But they decide intentionally.

They never let emotions overtake their values and standards.

7. Doing What’s Right Often Feels Like Loss Before It Feels Like Peace

In the moment, doing what’s right can feel heavy. Especially when it involves family, friends, employees, or people you care deeply about.

Doing what’s right can feel like losing. But over time, even though the right decision doesn’t always feel good immediately, it produces peace.

God doesn’t always call us to what’s easy. He calls us to what’s right.

Your peace follows obedience.

8. You Won’t Always Know the Plan…But You Can Trust the One Who Does

One of the hardest parts of leadership is making big decisions without full clarity.

As a parent, coach, business owner, or leader - you won’t always know how it will play out. You won’t always understand why things are happening the way they are. It can feel messy, overwhelming, and never-ending.

But faith reminds us: We may not understand the plan, but we can trust the One who does.

God’s plan isn’t always clear in the moment, but it is always perfect.

His grace is sufficient.
His mercy is constant.
His direction is trustworthy.

It won’t always make sense, but you can always have peace knowing God’s got you.

Final Thought

There are seasons where everything feels aligned and seasons where your standards get tested. I’m learning to be thankful for both.

This life is too hard to go at alone. If there’s anything I can do to help you, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be honored to talk with you about anything you’re facing - personally or professionally.

Seasons like this are one of the main reasons I built the Knoxville Summit community.

We all need people who help us grow.

Email me at events@knoxvillesummit.com to set up a time to connect or to learn more about the 2026–27 Knoxville Summit community.

And if you haven’t already, make sure you’re following us @knoxvillesummit to keep up with one of the best Knoxville Summits to date.

A few weeks ago at the Super Bowl, I experienced firsthand the realness of Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel. At the same time, I’ve also experienced the disappointment that comes when you discover half-truths - or even lies - from leaders you trusted.

It reminded me of something important: Being real isn’t optional for leaders. It’s essential.

And despite what some people think, authenticity isn’t soft.

At its core, it’s toughness.

In fact, authenticity is becoming one of the greatest competitive advantages a leader can have.

But leaders, that’s not even the most important reason.

Authenticity is a biblical calling.

Let’s break it all down.

The Data Is Clear: Authenticity Builds Trust

Leading purely from emotion or opinion is dangerous..

Harvard Business Review studies show employees who see their leaders as authentic report significantly higher levels of trust and engagement.

Gallup research shows highly engaged teams outperform disengaged teams by:

● 21% in profitability

● 17% in productivity

Sports research published in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology shows athletes perform better when they believe their coach is genuine and honest. Motivation rises. Resilience increases. Teams stay unified.

Why?

Because trust drives performance.

You’ve probably experienced the opposite.

A leader who doesn’t keep their word.

Someone who speaks in half-truths.

A leader who constantly shifts direction.

It creates confusion. Frustration. Disengagement.

You don’t need research to know how that culture feels. You’ve lived it.

But when a leader is authentic, trust grows. And when trust grows:

● Clarity increases

● Energy rises

● Commitment strengthens

That’s the environment where winning happens.

So Why Do Leaders Struggle to Be Authentic?

The answer is simple.

Ego.
Pride.
Selfishness.

Fake leaders can still say the right things. They may have the right mission statements on the wall or the right posts on social media.

But internally, ego whispers something different: “Protect your image.”

Great leaders say: “I will do what is best for the team, even if it costs me.”

Poor leaders think: “How do I protect myself?”

Great leaders pursue mission.

Insecure leaders pursue self-preservation.

Inauthentic leaders surround themselves with yes-people.

Authentic leaders surround themselves with truth-tellers.

And over time, something predictably happens…

On the outside everything will still look successful. But inside, the insecure leader will constantly manage and protect an image.

God never called us to protect an image.

He called us to walk in integrity.

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor.”
- Ephesians 4:25

Authenticity isn’t just strategy.

It’s obedience.

The Myth Leaders Believe

Many leaders quietly believe, “If I admit I don’t know something, I’ll lose credibility.”

I understand that fear. But the research says the opposite.

Harvard researcher Amy Edmondson found that teams perform better when leaders acknowledge uncertainty and invite input.

When leaders admit mistakes:

● Innovation increases

● Collaboration improves

● Performance rises

One of the most powerful things I saw while playing and working for Coach Bruce Pearl was his willingness to admit when he got something wrong.

Was he great? Absolutely.

Did he have it all together? Not even close.

And he’d be the first to tell you that much of Auburn’s success came because he learned from mistakes he made earlier in his career and became a more authentic leader.

The Difference Between Healthy and Unhealthy Ego

Some people hear this conversation and push back: “But Mark, great leaders need ego.”

I agree - but only the healthy kind.

Healthy ego says:

● I’m capable.

● I’m called to this role.

● I’m responsible for this team.

But it’s also secure enough to:

● receive feedback

● admit mistakes

● celebrate others’ success

Unhealthy ego is different.

It ties identity to performance and perception.

It needs to be right.

It resists correction.

It protects image over truth.

Healthy ego builds influence.

Unhealthy ego slowly destroys trust.

And trust is what leadership runs on.

The Slow Collapse of Inauthentic Leadership

So will fake leadership eventually fail? Yes.

But not immediately. Why?

Because many leaders know how to play the game. They say the right things. They create excitement. They produce short-term wins.

From a distance everything looks great. But over time cracks appear.

Research studying trust breakdown in organizations shows that within 18–36 months, warning signs usually begin to surface:

● Increased turnover

● Declining engagement

● Quiet exits from top talent

● Culture erosion

● Reputation damage

In sports it shows up within a few seasons.

● Players stop responding.

● Effort drops.

● Buy-in disappears.

Inauthentic leaders can fool people for a while. But you cannot sustain influence without authenticity.

Character always compounds. For good or for bad.

Scripture reminds us:

“The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.”
- Proverbs 12:22

Eventually what is false gets exposed.

Where Authentic Leadership Begins

Authenticity doesn’t start with strategy. It starts with self-examination.

First with God. Then with ourselves.

Ask yourself:

● Am I talking to God about what I’m dealing with?

● Am I honest about where I need to improve?

● Am I being authentic with the people in my life?

Or:

● Am I avoiding hard conversations?

● Am I protecting my ego?

● Am I pretending to know things I don’t?

● Am I leading in ways that benefit me more than others?

Strong leaders examine themselves first.

David prayed in Psalm 139: “Search me, God, and know my heart.”

That’s courageous leadership.

Not perfection. But surrender.

Not ego. But calling.

The Challenge

You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t need to look perfect.

But you do need:

● Integrity

● Courage

● Humility

● Selflessness

So in a world chasing attention…Be real.

In a culture chasing likes…Choose character.

And in moments when ego says “protect yourself”…Choose truth.

Because authentic leadership doesn’t just win in the short term, it builds something that lasts.

And a legacy built on truth and character is something every leader ultimately wants.

________________________________________________________

An Invitation

Authentic leadership isn’t something we stumble into. It’s something we intentionally grow into.

That’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about creating environments where leaders can grow together. This spring, we’ll gather leaders from business, sports, ministry, and organizations from across the region at the Knoxville Summit.

It’s a day focused on helping leaders grow in character, clarity, and courage so they can lead better in every area of life. If you’re serious about becoming the kind of leader who builds trust, develops people, and creates lasting impact, I’d love for you to join us.

Click HERE to find out how you can be a part of the Knoxville Summit.

And you’re definitely not for the same people in every season of life.

You grow. They grow. And relationships change.

Years ago, I heard something called The Rule of 10:

Out of 10 people:
• 3 will like you
• 3 will not
• 4 aren’t paying attention at all

Yet many of us, especially leaders, spend an exhausting amount of energy trying to win over the wrong three…or worse, performing for the four who don’t even know what’s happening.

We make decisions to impress people we don’t really know, and sometimes people we don’t even like. Over time, that pressure quietly pulls us away from who we’re actually called to be.

Here’s the truth that has anchored me in a season of shifting relationships and increased pushback:

It’s better to be disliked for who you are than liked for who you aren’t.

Most critics don’t know the real you.
They don’t know your context, your constraints, or the weight of the decisions you carry.
They don’t see the heart behind your leadership.

If we’re not careful, we still allow those opinions to define us.

You were not created to impress people.
You were not designed to chase approval, fit neatly into expectations, or live for applause.

You were created to do what you are called to do.

That doesn’t mean disrespecting others or dismissing different perspectives. In a culture that thrives on division, strong leaders must hold conviction and respect at the same time. We need leaders who can disagree without being distracted and who stay anchored to their purpose while treating others with dignity.

That’s where real impact happens.

And real success?

It’s not being known by everyone.
It’s not being liked by everyone.
It’s not being celebrated by everyone.

Real success is alignment – living and leading in step with who God made you to be.
It’s freedom from expectations, opinions, fear, and comparison.

When things get hard, this is what I remind myself:
I believe God believes in me and that He trusts me with the challenges I’m walking through.

None of it is accidental.

So as you attack your day, remember this:
You are not for everybody and that’s a good thing.

Be who you are.
Do what you’re called to do.
Respect others.

But never let someone else’s opinion pull you away from your purpose.

Because every moment you try to be everything to everyone, you lose.
But every moment you choose to live the life you are called to live – you win.

And this world needs more of you.
Keep going.

Have you heard who’s coming to the Knoxville Summit?

Leadership journeys can feel lonely, especially when you’re committed to growth, conviction, and impact. That’s exactly why we created the Knoxville Summit.

On April 23, leaders from across industries will gather at the iconic Neyland Stadium for our main event of the year featuring world-class voices like Jon Gordon, Willie Robertson, and other top leaders who understand the weight – and responsibility – of influence.

If you’re looking to be empowered, sharpened, and surrounded by leaders who get it, this room is for you.

Spots are limited and filling quickly.

Register now at knoxvillesummit.com or email events@knoxvillesummit.com and our team will help coordinate next steps for you and your leadership team.

I’d love to see you there.

New goals. New plans. Renewed energy.

But most years don’t fall short because of bad goals. They fall short because leaders avoid discomfort, lack patience, rely on weak systems, or refuse to surround themselves with truth-tellers (ego has a sneaky way of doing that).

I’ve missed goals for all of those reasons in business, coaching, and leadership. If you’ve already stumbled this year, you’re not behind. Let’s attack it together.

If you want to talk through a goal, strategy, or accountability point, I’d love to help…and I could use your help, too. Email me at events@knoxvillesummit.com, and let’s set up time to connect.

Three Leadership Lessons We Can’t Miss in 2026

Several years ago, we had a highly talented person in our organization. They produced results, drove revenue, and brought real value.

But their success slowly inflated their ego, and it began to erode our culture.

It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t obvious.
It showed up in tone. Dismissiveness. How people felt after interacting with them.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: We didn’t address it fast enough.

Because they were “valuable,” we justified it. We told ourselves others could toughen up. By doing that, we unintentionally sent clear messages:

• Their behavior was acceptable

• Results mattered more than people

• Our values were just words on paper

Eventually, by God’s grace and the courage of teammates who spoke up instead of leaving, we saw it clearly. We made the hard decision to let them go. Not because of performance, but because how people are treated matters.

Lesson #1: Culture Doesn’t Collapse Overnight

Culture erodes one tolerated behavior at a time.
One excuse. One justification. One turned cheek.

What are you tolerating today that you’ll regret later?

Lesson #2: The Standard Is the Standard

Real standards don’t care who you are.
They apply to everyone, including the leader.

This is why I’m so firm when coaching basketball. Talent doesn’t exempt you. Status doesn’t protect you.

Late to practice? You don’t start.
Do it again? You step back in the rotation.

No emotion. No favoritism.

Fairness isn’t treating everyone the same - it’s holding everyone to the same standard. Leadership isn’t about comfort; it’s about building people while pursuing the vision.

Lesson #3: Avoiding Discomfort Now Creates More Pain Later

Most leaders want peace. We want things to run smoothly. And sometimes, we allow comfort or production to trump culture.

That never ends well.

Culture can’t thrive when corners are cut for a select few. Favoritism is failed leadership. Leadership without accountability is easy…but weak.

Sometimes growth comes through subtraction. Letting go of someone who damages culture can strengthen the entire organization.

Questions Worth Asking Early in 2026

• What behaviors am I tolerating that don’t align with our values?

• Who or what is pulling me down?

• What am I blaming instead of owning?

• Have I defined the daily actions required to hit my goals?

• Who has permission to tell me the truth—and will I actually listen?

(If you want it, email me and I’ll send you my free Triple Threat Exercise that changed how I approach goals.)

Your best year won’t be built on resolutions, quotes, or things written on paper.

It will be built on courageous action over comfort and the discipline to hold the standard, even when it’s hard.

You can make 2026 your best year yet.
Now let’s take unwavering action…together.

As I reread this year’s newsletters and reflected on the conversations, experiences, and growth that shaped 2025, here’s what I’m carrying with me into the year ahead.

The Work We Do Has Value Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like It

Earlier this year, I questioned whether I should continue writing this newsletter. I wondered if anyone really needed it. If it was worth the time and energy.

What changed my mind were the notes many of you sent sharing how these words encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you think differently. It reminded me of something leaders often forget: much of our impact goes unseen. Appreciation isn’t always expressed. Doubt creeps in quietly.

But impact is still being made when we continue to show up and do the right things.

Lesson: Your voice matters. Don’t ever let doubt speak louder than your belief in the impact you’re making.

Leadership: Blessing or Burden?

You were placed in leadership for a reason. Yet so many leaders feel worn down, stretched thin, and overwhelmed. Leadership can start to feel like a constant tension between burden and blessing, panic and peace, influence and responsibility.

How we frame leadership shapes how we experience it.

Lesson: Leaders who see leadership as a privilege, not a burden, are more resilient, more joyful, and more effective.

Legacy Isn’t Built “Later.” It’s Being Built Now

Legacy doesn’t wait for retirement or life’s finish line. It’s written daily in how we coach a kid, serve a client, speak to a spouse, or show up at the dinner table.

Lesson: The accumulation of your everyday choices becomes your legacy. Live each moment intentionally.

Your Most Important Investment

With full calendars, big goals, and endless responsibilities, one truth became unavoidable this year: before we can lead others well, we must lead ourselves well.

And leading ourselves doesn’t start with control, it starts with trust. With listening. With following God.

Lesson: Our most important investment isn’t in things, people, or even ourselves - it’s in a personal relationship with Jesus.

Goals Don’t Fail. Focus Does.

Do you have goals for 2026? I’m confident you can achieve them.

Most people don’t miss their goals because they lack ability. They miss because they lose focus, drift from conviction, or struggle to say “no” to distractions.

Lesson: When goals are tied to mission and meaning, not recognition or possessions, we achieve more than we imagined.

Growth Happens Through Hard Questions

Growth often begins with discomfort.

Questions like:

• What am I doing that hurts my leadership?

• How am I really showing up at home?

• Why am I actually doing what I’m doing?

• What do I need to stop doing to move forward?

We’re quick to ask hard questions of others, but hesitant to ask them of ourselves. Often because we fear what may need to change.

Lesson: Schedule time to ask yourself hard questions. Your growth depends on it.

Perspective Changes Everything

The newsletter that sparked the most conversation asked a simple question:
If we only had six months to live, what would we do differently?

That question shifted priorities from productivity to presence, achievement to affection, and noise to what truly matters.

Lesson: Your worst day is someone else’s best day. Be grateful for every moment, both joyful and challenging, that God gives you.

The Enemy Isn’t Who We Think It Is

Leadership is a calling, and it’s rarely calm. One recurring theme this year was learning to lead through chaos without losing your center.

Some leaders panic. Great leaders pause, breathe, and act with clarity.

Lesson: You can’t eliminate chaos, but you can navigate it with discipline, focus, faith, and yes…a smile.

Relationships Matter More Than Results

Business wins, athletic success, and financial milestones matter, but they aren’t the point. The people along the way are.

Family. Teams. Clients. Friends. The Knoxville Summit community. That’s where life actually happens.

Lesson: If you measure life only by numbers, you miss its meaning. The real measure is the people who one day say, “You impacted my life and I’m thankful.”

Faith Isn’t Something You Have. It’s Something You Live

I hear many people talk about faith while living very differently and when I say “they,” I’m including myself.

This year taught me to loosen my grip on control and deepen my trust in God. I was reminded that I’m called to be a Connector of Joy, and I’m excited to lean into that even more.

Lesson: Faith must shape our actions, not just our words. And our joy must be rooted in God, not in immediate results.

2025 in One Word: Perspective

This year changed how I see things.

Not just how I plan.
Not just how I lead.
Not just how I work.
…but how I live.

Perspective has a way of quieting the noise and clarifying what actually matters. It separates urgency from importance and reminds us that many of today’s stresses won’t matter a year from now, maybe not even next month.

This year reminded me that:

• Success without presence is empty

• Achievement without relationships feels hollow

• What the world applauds isn’t always what matters most

Perspective softened my comparisons, reframed pressure, and helped me see leadership not as something I carry, but something I steward.

It reminded me that:

• Time is our most valuable asset and often our worst-managed

• The people in front of us matter more than the outcomes we’re chasing

• Legacy is built in daily conversations, choices, and consistency

As we step into 2026, my prayer is that the right perspective:

• Stays with us on hard days

• Holds us accountable to the right people and priorities

• Keeps us grateful and energized to lead

• Helps us choose gratitude over frustration

• Allows us to live with peace instead of stress

And maybe most importantly, it helps us remember why we’re doing what we’re doing in the first place.

Here’s to carrying that perspective forward.

2026 will bring challenges, change, and uncertainty, but let what we learned in 2025 shape not just what we do next, but who we become.

Thank you for being part of this community. Your engagement, encouragement, and messages inspire me more than you know. If there’s ever a way I can serve you, your family, your team, or your business, please reach out.

God bless,
Mark

P.S.

Leadership was never meant to be done in isolation. If you’re looking for community, challenge, and encouragement as you head into 2026, I’d love for you to stay connected through Knoxville Summit and the conversations we’re building together.

I lost my grandmother this week.

It’s the first time, as an adult, that I’ve walked through the loss of someone truly close to me, and it has affected me in ways I didn’t expect.

She was strong-willed, independent, and loving. She had a laugh that could fill a house and lift your spirit instantly. She loved her family, sports, and sweets. She was kind to everyone… even my dad, when she thought he was cheating at cards!

As I reflected on her life, one verse stayed with me:

“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.” (Psalm 145:4)

This is legacy.

This is my grandmother.

Over the last few days, four reflections have stayed with me:

1. What I cherish most isn’t what she gave, it’s who she was.

My grandmother would have given any of us anything she could. But as I thought about her this week, I didn’t spend a single second remembering gifts.

I remembered:

• our conversations (and wishing I’d asked more questions)

• her homemade stews

• her laugh I can still hear

It reminded me that the most meaningful legacy we leave isn’t found in things… it’s found in the moments we choose to create and the person we choose to become.

2. Her legacy literally lives on in our family.

I keep coming back to the chain of God’s design:

He created her…

she married my grandfather…

they created my mom…

who met my dad…

who created me…

who met Brooke…

and now our daughters exist because of that entire sequence of God-woven moments.

If one link in that chain were different, none of us would be here.

Because of her, my girls exist.

And Lord willing, their children will too.

Her story continues through every generation that follows. I’m grateful my daughters got time with their GG. I pray her toughness, kindness, and fierce love for family stays with them forever. (Grandma, I love you, but I do pray they inherit the Pancratz height gene! Ha!)

3. I need to value the time I still have with my parents… and create more of it.

The day she passed, she had just been moved out of ICU. We believed, we truly believed, we had more time. Until suddenly, we didn’t.

It reminded me that time with the people we love is not guaranteed.

And appreciating time isn’t enough.

We have to create more of it.

This is hard for me right now. There are so many demands and responsibilities pulling at me. But it’s family. So here’s what I’m committing to:

• Call more.

• Ask more questions.

• Sit longer.

• MAKE more time.

4. I’ve struggled with this reality… life keeps moving.

The day she passed, life didn’t pause.

Work continued.

Practices continued.

Meetings continued.

Responsibilities continued.

The world didn’t stop, and that was disorienting. But in that tension, something became abundantly clear:

So much of what we stress over every day doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of life.

We worry about what people think, yet the day after we’re gone, most of those people won’t think of us at all.

We compare our lives to others—usually based on their money, title, or stuff—but none of that is fulfilling. (See Ecclesiastes 2:1.)

We chase more success, more recognition, more “one day I’ll finally feel enough” … but five years from now, or even five days from now, most of it won’t matter.

When our time here ends, people will grieve, but their lives will keep going.

Even our family’s.

So here’s the encouragement I’m taking away from all of this:

• Live the life God has called YOU to live.

• Spend time with the people He’s placed in your path.

• Do more of what brings you joy.

• Laugh more.

• Don’t hold back—tell people how much they matter.

• Take the risk.

• Value moments over things.

• And leave behind a legacy of faith, love, and impact that echoes for generations.

Because that’s the kind of legacy my grandmother left.

It’s the kind I want to leave.

It’s the kind you are capable of.

And it’s the kind of legacy God calls us to build.

In this follow-up video, one of my business partners, Jim LaPinska, and I share why we do our annual planning in October and how we help many organizations and people like you turn challenges into clarity, excitement, and measurable progress.

Here’s a quick look at a few of the topics we cover:

• Why October? Timing matters. We’ll discuss why taking the appropriate action before the year ends is vital to your success.

• Well-rounded success. Professional AND personal goals matter.

• The Triple Threat. Don’t just wish it. Take action.

Ready to make 2026 your best and most impactful year yet? Watch the video below and then send me a quick email at events@knoxvillesummit.com, and I’ll send you:

• Our Annual Planning Playbook: The exact framework we use with our clients and our own businesses.

• OR if you’d like me to bring this live to your team, we’ll schedule a complimentary Annual Planning Workshop, designed for your leadership as we head into next year.

Let’s turn the chaos we led through into a game plan we can win with!

Nobody can do it alone! Your best year begins with the plan we build together!

If you’re not feeling the pressure yet, give it a week–it’s coming.

We all know that as the holidays ramp up, demands will multiply. Expectations will rise. What should be one of the most meaningful times of the year often becomes the most exhausting, right?

Research shows 81% of people report higher stress levels during the holidays, and nearly two-thirds of leaders feel emotionally drained by year-end.

So how do leaders who carry massive responsibility–businesses, teams, families, and communities–stay grounded, focused and actually joyful when everything around them speeds up? How do we increase our joy and contentment while demands are increasing?

Simply put: How do we lead in the chaos?

Let me just say: I don’t have this mastered. I still say yes too often. But I’ve learned (mostly the hard way) that great leaders handle high-capacity seasons differently.

Here are four habits of impactful, grounded leaders who finish the year with both results and peace.

1. They Know Their Identity

When I’m at my best, I remember this: My worth isn’t measured by output or approval–it’s measured by obedience to my calling.

That’s countercultural for leaders who live in a world that glorifies busyness, metrics and public wins. But when your identity is secure, your priorities are clear.

You stop chasing every invitation. You start saying yes to the right people and the right responsibilities.

Identity creates focus. Focus creates peace.

2. They Remember Who They Work For

High-achievers thrive on progress, but fulfillment starts with perspective.

We’re called to work hard. To give our best. To pour ourselves out for the sake of others. But it becomes empty when we forget why we’re doing it. For me, that usually happens when I’m going hard throughout the day, emptying myself, while also being short-tempered and annoyed easily. That means I’ve forgotten the point.

Colossians 3:23 says it like this:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

That verse is both freeing and grounding. When your motivation is eternal, the opinions of others lose their grip.

Ask yourself these three questions:

• Why am I really going to that event?

• Why am I pushing that new initiative?

• Why do I want to hit that next milestone?

If the answer is ego or applause, it’ll never be enough. But if the answer is alignment and purpose–you’ll lead from peace, not pressure.

3. They Rest with Intention

You’re not going to like this one. I don’t think I really like it.

The best leaders don’t just grind–they rest.

I used to see rest as weakness. I’d get anxious just sitting still. But I’ve learned that when I never stop working, I’m actually worshiping productivity instead of God.

Even Jesus–carrying the literal weight of the world–took time to pray, retreat and rest.

Rest isn’t a luxury. It’s leadership.

Here are three practical ways to lead from rest:

• Block 30 minutes daily for silence, prayer, or reflection–no phone.

• Audit your calendar. Remove commitments that aren’t mission-critical.

• Model rest to your team and family. Don’t glorify exhaustion.

Rest reminds us: God is in control. We’re not.

4. They Stay Relational, Not Transactional

When pace picks up, people often get reduced to tasks. But leaders who sustain impact don’t just manage–they connect.

Success means nothing if the people closest to you feel unseen.

Here are three ways to lead relationally during busy seasons:

• Call someone simply to encourage them–no agenda.

• Protect date nights or time with those who matter most.

• Ask better questions: Not just “How was your day?” but “What was the best part of it?”

Studies show 79% of people neglect their relationships during the holidays–and most regret it. Don’t be one of them.

Choose presence over perfection, people over performance.

The Bottom Line

This season will test every leader you know–including you.

But if you stay anchored in identity, purpose, rest and relationships – you can close out the year with both impact and integrity.

You can hit your goals and still enjoy your life.

Because leadership isn’t about doing it all–it’s about doing what matters most, for the One who called you to it.

I’m praying you finish strong–with clarity, peace and joy.

If I can help you navigate the overlap of faith, health, and wealth, I’d be honored to connect. Never hesitate to reach out.

– Mark Pancratz
Founder, The Knoxville Summit

P.S. We’ve got a pretty big surprise coming for this year’s Knoxville Summit. Follow @KnoxvilleSummit for updates and an exciting 2026 announcement.

That’s what a business owner told me across the table recently. He wasn’t talking about closing shop—he was talking about the crushing weight of leading: endless problems, sleepless nights, and the pressure of knowing people’s livelihoods depend on him. I could see the weariness in his eyes.

If you’ve led anything worth leading – business, team, family – you’ve felt it, too. I know I have. Running companies, coaching, leading at home as a husband and dad – I’ve had seasons where leadership felt more like a burden than a blessing.

So, I asked him a question that stopped him cold:

“What if the weight you’re feeling isn’t just a burden – what if it’s actually a blessing?”

He didn’t love that question. But here’s what I know: the way you see, think, and talk about leadership shapes how you experience it.

If you call leadership a grind, it’ll feel like a grind.

If you call leadership a gift, it will become one.

Research backs this up: leaders who see their role as a privilege are more resilient, more effective, and more fulfilled. Their teams feel safer, more motivated, and more engaged. Leaders who only dwell on the difficulty? They burn out faster – and spread that same exhaustion to everyone around them.

Think about the environments you’ve been in. Stressed, negative leaders create anxious cultures. Encouraging, hopeful leaders build teams that thrive. The difference is night and day.

So, let me ask you: Right now, is your leadership a burden or a blessing?

No one ever promised this would be easy. Leadership is hard. But you are equipped for it – not by your own strength, but because God entrusted you with the role. He’s given you skills, people to lean on, and His Word as a foundation.

Leadership is pressure, yes – but it’s also a privilege.

If you’re in a hard season right now (or when you face one soon), here are five ways to reframe the weight:

1. Call it what it is – a blessing. The challenges in front of you prove people believe in you. More importantly, God believes in you.
   
   

2. Make God’s Word your anchor. Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to grow weary – because the harvest comes when we don’t give up.
   
   

3. Change the question. Stop asking, “Why me?” Start asking, “Lord, how can I be faithful here?”
   
   

4. Build your inner circle. Surround yourself with two or three men you trust who will speak truth into your life.
   
   

5. Rest and release. You will never do it all. God doesn’t expect perfection—so stop trying to be everything to everyone.
   
   

Someday, every one of us will hand off our leadership — whether in business, at home, or in the community. And on that day, the only review that will matter is hearing:
“Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

So, lead today in a way that makes God smile.

“In my downtime, that thought would keep coming into my mind: Only six months. I had to work really hard to replace the thought of dying with asking myself the question: How many people in my life have I really impacted? Who have I helped become a better person, get married, be a good parent ...you know, change the trajectory of their life and maybe even the lives of their kids?”

I nodded hoping he would continue. “‘You are dying in 6 months’ thought really wanted to take over my thoughts and force me into a downward spiral. Man, was that hard but I eventually thought of enough people that I helped, that I became completely at peace with, not dying, but with the life that I had lived while God allowed me to live it.”

I sat at a table in the middle of a busy, loud lunchtime rush at the Chop House, in silent admiration of “Jeff.” Jeff is a financial planning client of mine that from the outside looking in, people would say has got it all. The nice house, fancy cars, successful business, pictures of his family on extravagant trips....ALL the things. But, the Jeff I know, although he has been given a diagnosis of 6 months to live, he has so much more than that. He has perspective, wisdom, relationships and an impact that will live far beyond his worldly possessions and human body!

So what have I learned from my conversations with Jeff the last few weeks?

I’ve reprioritized what’s important to me.

1. Spend time with people you love and love you. Jeff said it’s interesting how some of the people he has loved the most during their time of need have been the ones that are there for him now the most. A lot of people he would spend time worrying about, but didn’t really care for him the same way, haven’t even reached out to him during his medical challenges. He wishes he would’ve spent less time with those people during his life and more time with the people that actually valued him.

2. Do things that fulfill you. We all find different things that fulfill us. Our spouse, kids, business, working out, being outside, sports, etc. Don’t get caught chasing the bigger house, the deal that makes more money, but deflates you because of the people who are in the deal.

3. Smile more. Life is too short to be worrying about all the little things that in another day, year, 10 years, won’t matter. So many people make you believe that to be great at something you need to be so relentless, that you can’t have meaningful, enjoyable relationships with people. TRUE greatness is actually in the relationships not the numbers in a bank account or the square footage of a house.

4. Have a plan. Not just for retirement, college and all the fun and exciting stuff, but also a plan for the “oh crap” moments of life. They’re hard but they’re not nearly as hard if we know our loved ones and business partners are going to be ok even if something happens to our health. Is your financial plan and estate planning up to date? If not, meet with someone!

5. Slow down to see and appreciate the little moments. We go so fast that sometimes we miss the little signs that our kids are showing glimpses of what we are working so hard to teach them. Go on lunch dates. Go for a walk. Ask the follow up question to learn a little more about their day.

Have you thought about dying?

Weird question to ask yourself, isn’t it? Here’s the reality.

Your time may be in less than six months like my client Jeff, or it may more than 60 years…

Either way, have you stopped to ask yourself: “How many people in your life have you REALLY impacted?”

PS: If you haven’t read the book of Living Life Backward by David Gibson, I highly recommend it.

Twelve years. That’s how long it had been since I’d thought about what this business owner brought up that day. I was leaving his office and before I could shut the door, he reminded me of The Toughest Decision Of My Life article I wrote on the day I told Coach Cuonzo Martin that I would be leaving coaching.

The next day, while finishing up at the gym, a man I see there often walked over and said: “I haven’t been getting your newsletter lately. Did you stop or did I accidentally unsubscribe?” I told him I’d gotten so busy that I had stopped writing. With little emotion, but strong directness, he said, “You shouldn’t do that.” And walked away.

Those two separate events led me through a rollercoaster of questions:

Should I restart doing this just because it’s impactful to others?

Just because others have asked for it, should I really do it?

See, writing doesn’t come easy for me. I don’t want to use AI platforms to write content because I want it to be authentic and, more specifically, I want it to be impactful for you. If you’re going to spend the time reading it, I want it to be valuable.

But you know what? (And you may or may not like this.) I really enjoy doing this. It’s actually therapeutic for me. It forces me to think through different aspects of my life to find ways to share impactful strategies, thoughts and ideas.

Yeah, there is pressure and stress that comes from writing these. Where does it fit in everything I already have going on?

As I was still wrestling with committing to the newsletter, I got to have a “life” conversation with famous author and leadership coach, Jon Gordon. During that conversation Jon said, “Pressure is believing the lie that anything outside of you can impact how you feel.”

That changed things for me. So here we are, doing more of what aligns with our purpose, energizes us, brings us joy and makes impact and less of the things that we feel like we are “supposed to do” to live to other people’s expectations of us.

This is easier said than done so here are four things that are going to help:

1. Listen to ourselves less and talk to ourselves more.

   My thoughts are often negative. My thoughts are often the pressures, stresses and expectations of others. However, when I pay attention to how talk to myself, I choose to tell myself positive messages that lead to more joy, effectiveness and impact.

2. Write out and then read daily your “I Am Statement”

   This has helped remind and empower me to stay focused on what and who I am called to be. If you’d like me to send you my “I Am Statement” from the last two years, email events@knoxvillesummit.com.

3. Community.

   As the world becomes more reliant on artificial intelligence and meeting software, I’m confident that in person relationships and community is going to matter even more. Do you have at least one person you can talk with about your greatest successes, struggles and questions? Do you have someone who has been through what you’re experiencing right now? If not, I urge you to find that person or that community. There are some communities I can connect you with depending on what you need (there have been a few communities built out of our Knoxville Summit event) and know that if there is anything I can do for you personally, I am here to help.

4. Prayer.

   God has blessed us with the Holy Spirit. The more we connect with God, the more that we will become aligned with what God has planned for us. Just like with our spouse, children or work colleagues, real connection with God doesn’t happen by just talking. We need to sit and listen. Put aside the phone, turn off the notifications, let the people around you know you need some alone time, find a quiet place, surrender your current and future situations, let it all out…and pray.

I’m confident if you’re reading this, you’re successful. You’re doing big things. However, if you are like myself and so many of the high level people I am around, the achievement, success feels empty. There is always a pursuit for more, which really hinders our happiness. So how do we change that?

Seek YOUR passion + purpose and remember your worst day would be someone else’s best day. Despite your challenges and adversities, so many people would love to have your life. We. Are. Blessed.

Thank you, God!!

I’m launching something brand new in August: A Live Youth Sports Webinar.

Brought to you by the Knoxville Summit, this is an opportunity to open up the conversation so many parents are having right now: How much is too much? What should my involvement be as a parent? How do I know if we’re doing this all right? What will really help and what hurts?

As our kids grow in their passions, they’re looking to us for guidance. So let’s equip ourselves by paying attention to the experts in the fields our kids love and also those who have gone before us.

If you’re a parent of kids in youth sports or a coach, make sure you’re registered and pass it on:

Secure your spot and register now!

Leading your company, division, team or family is extremely rewarding but equally challenging.

A member of your leadership team has been incredibly successful until 3+ years ago. However, they haven’t been meeting expectations and are unwilling to change.

You love your kids. You hate seeing them struggling but you know having them work through challenges is what is best for their future.

Both sides of these situations are true which makes them hard.

My oldest daughter’s basketball season ended earlier this week. It was the toughest, yet most rewarding, year I’ve experienced with one of my daughters and sports.

Charli is an 8th grader who earned the opportunity to play on the high school basketball team. In addition to attending a new school, with higher academic expectations, and very few friends when she got there, high school athletics demands a new level of toughness, focus and effort mentally and physical.

The year was full of new challenges.

• 6am practices

• Higher demands of teammates and coaches

• Late nights of homework after a late game.

• Games she didn’t play.

• Games she didn’t play well.

She struggled at times but I’m so proud of her. She learned a TON and improved in so many ways.

But as someone who has coached almost all of my daughters’ teams since they started playing sports, this season was also a major learning experience for me. As one of the few times I’ve been able to be “dad” during a basketball season, I learned a few things:

1. My words matter. If I truly care about their walk with God, character, health, grades, etc. I can’t let my first questions be, “How did practice go today?” I can’t let them feel that I care about them more or less based on their performance.

2. I need to keep setting up my girls on dates. No. Not with boys, but with things I believe are important. The harder I push my girls toward something the harder they usually push back. (I think my wife and I are both wired this way.) However, with basketball, we have gently kept basketball around our family and now, in her own timing and on her own terms, she is starting to take her training to a new level. (TBD on how long it lasts!) What other areas of life do I need to incorporate this?

3. Highlight the exciting end goal more than the work. I try to do this a lot with our girls. I hear parents all the time tell their kids, “You have to put in the work. You have to grind!” Well, let me ask you something: If you didn’t have an idea where that work was going to get you, would you still put in the work? We have to talk to our kids about what the work is going to do for them…not you..but them! How do we make the work, not feel like work so it becomes exciting and part of what needs to be done to achieve their definition of success?

4. I didn’t always agree with the coaches and that’s ok. What’s not ok, is to talk about it with my daughter OR with my wife while my daughter can hear it. The coaches my daughter plays for are great. What I care most about is they love the Lord, care about all the players on the team by holding them accountable to become their best AND they know there are areas they can personally improve.

5. Everything looks different over time. When we are emotional, we just aren’t thinking at our best. I saw this most right after a game when parents wanted to talk with me about what did or didn’t happen in a game and on the car rides home with my daughter. In these moments, emotion was high and my judgement of the decision was often blurred. The more time I gave the situation, the more the “problem” looked different.

So what does this have to do with leadership and business?

It all leads to the questions I need to be asking:

1. How are you using your words? Are you encouraging others? Are you empowering them? Are you following up on what you say you are going to do? Are you admitting where you need help or are getting things wrong?

2. Are you being a leader that others want to follow? Every interaction you have with people in your organization you are holding a mirror up to them on who they could become if they follow you. Are those little encounters with you aspirational and encouraging or shallow and demotivating?

3. What are your goals and how are you keeping them in front of you every day? Do you think about those goals more than the challenges? Do you celebrate even the small wins of the day more than you dwell on what didn’t get accomplished today?

4. Great leaders are real. They admit when they mess up and don’t promise to have all the answers. The great leaders just promise they’ll give it their best and if you stick with them long enough, they’ll get it right. You don’t have to be perfect, but you do need to care.

5. Life isn’t problem to solve. It’s a process of evolution to becoming who God has called us to be. If something isn’t going right today, it’s ok. Learn from it. Each challenge, each win is all a part of the process.

6. What good things are going on in your life you’re choosing to look past? What is the good in the people around you (your spouse, kids, coaches, colleagues, etc.) you’re choosing to not see? Don’t search for the negative.

7. Are you trying to get better? As a spouse, parent, leader, etc? If so, great job! Can you get better? We all can. But sometimes you have to lean in, smile and know you’re doing a good job.

8. What’s holding you back? What are you waiting for? Why not make the change to a different environment? Why not go all in? Why not have the tough conversation? There’s a saying I heard from a mentor of mine last week called the Fools Bargain. Fools bargain with themselves and say, “Once things are different I will….” or “It’ll be different when….”

The reality is, things will only begin to be different when you begin to think and act differently.

Don’t wait another day. Start today. It’s true. Change is hard. Hitting big goals is hard. But it’s also hard staying the same. Not hitting goals. Looking back and saying, “I wish I would have….”. Don’t let that be you!

If you’re stuck and wanting to make that next big jump, I encourage you to join us at the Knoxville Summit where you will be surrounded by people to fuel your next level of growth.

Being surrounded by other like minded individuals will encourage you to keep going where you are and empower you to go to even greater heights!

I hope to see you there.

In the meantime, if I can ever do anything for you, please reach out to me at knoxvillesummit@gmail.com,