As leaders, life often presents us with defining moments—challenges that demand more from us than we feel ready to give. Sometimes, the call is exhilarating: a dream job, an exciting project, or the chance to make a meaningful impact. Other times, the call is unexpected, unwelcome, and forces us to make tough decisions we never wanted to face.
The question isn’t whether the call will come. It’s whether we’ll answer it.
The Call I Didn’t Want to Take – Several years ago, I received a call that changed my life. It wasn’t metaphorical. It was real, and I didn’t want it.
At the time, I was riding high with excitement. I had just launched my first company—a management consulting firm—and landed my first client: my father’s business. His company was successful, and he trusted me to help progress its strategy. Our first meeting was scheduled for early morning in his home office.
I remember the day vividly. I was sitting at the table, reviewing some notes, while my father stepped away for a moment. Minutes passed, and when he didn’t return, I went to check on him. That’s when I found him. He had collapsed.
My father, a vibrant and healthy 58-year-old who had competed in a triathlon just months earlier, suffered a massive stroke. Forty-eight hours later, he was gone.
In an instant, our family lost its leader. But the ripple effects didn’t stop there—my father’s thriving business now stood leaderless, waiting for someone to step up.
Answering the Call – At 29, I was just beginning to figure out my path. I had no other clients, and my fledgling company had barely taken flight. But I knew my family needed me. My mother, reeling from the loss of her husband of 36 years, wasn’t in a position to take over the business. My brother lived out of state, and my sister had a young family to care for.
I was the only one who could step in.
So, I answered the call.
My goal was simple but urgent: secure my mom’s financial future by selling the company. I had to immerse myself in every detail of a business I wasn’t prepared to run. I didn’t just inherit the title of leader; I inherited the weight of responsibility, grief, and uncertainty.
Over the next nine months, I worked tirelessly to stabilize the company, position it for sale, and secure a deal that would provide for my mother. By the end of that period, we successfully sold the business, ensuring her financial security.
It was the most challenging experience of my life, both personally and professionally. It wasn’t the call I wanted. It wasn’t the call I asked for. But it was the call I needed to answer.
The Role of Leadership in Hard Calls – Leadership isn’t about stepping up when it’s convenient or comfortable. It’s about taking action when the stakes are high and the work is messy. Sometimes, the hardest calls are the ones that define us.
As a leader, you’ll face moments when you have to make tough decisions, take on unglamorous work, or guide others through situations you’d rather avoid. It’s in those moments that true leadership emerges—not from titles or accolades, but from the willingness to show up, even when it’s hard.
That’s what answering the call means.
The Call I Was Ready For – But not all calls are heavy or unwelcome. Some are exactly the kind of opportunities that energize us.
The day my father passed away, our family was gathered at the house, trying to process the whirlwind of events. Amid the chaos, my phone rang. It was someone from one of the most respected organizations in the world, reaching out for my help.
“Brent, I was referred to you by a colleague. He said you could help us.”
It was a moment of profound contrast. On the same day I said goodbye to my father, I was presented with an opportunity to do the work I loved. This was a call I was ready—and eager—to answer.
That experience taught me an important lesson: leadership is about answering all kinds of calls. The ones that excite us. The ones that scare us. The ones that demand more from us than we think we can give.
Why It Matters – When you look back on your life as a leader, you’ll remember the moments that tested you. The ones where the path wasn’t clear, and the work wasn’t easy. You’ll also remember the moments of triumph, when you rose to the occasion and said yes to opportunities that made a difference.
Answering the call is never just about solving a problem or completing a task. It’s about stepping into the role of leader, not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary.
So, the next time you’re faced with a call—whether it’s a challenge you didn’t ask for or an opportunity you’ve been dreaming of—ask yourself: Are you going to answer it?
Your answer, and your actions, may profoundly shape your journey.
See you in a few weeks,
Brent, your Rivr Guide
