Absolutely beautiful with raw emotion. I'm also an older brother. Being the older brother means you always hear the footsteps behind you, even when you are walking alone.
Dan, this is such a beautiful tribute to your brother. I loved how you balanced humor with real tenderness, especially the way you wrote about protection, pride, regret, repair, and showing up when it matters most.
The pond scene is unforgettable. Funny, vulnerable, ridiculous, and sacred all at once. This piece says so much about brotherhood, but also about leadership, love, and the kind of relationships that become stronger because people are willing to listen.
Awe Monica! Thank you for making my day. I’ll be honest I was scared to publish this piece because it’s easy for me to say “leadership should be this and management should be that.” but there aren’t citations in a piece that’s about me and my relationships, who I am, what I stand for, and the mistakes I’ve made along the way.
You reading my piece makes this all worth it. And I appreciate you taking the time to sit with me as I share a story about me and my family. I appreciate the kind words. And I appreciate you seeing me :)
Setting a great example of why it’s so important to open up fully to our loved ones! So glad you shared this, Dan. Loved reading it and especially the pottery metaphor. It’s why I like the Japanese pottery Kintsugi - learn to love the cracks and share them with others.
This letter had so much. Love, humor, protectiveness, concern, and more than everything, pride for your younger brother. So well articulated, you took us strangers on a journey where we feel we know you two well.
Absolutely beautiful with raw emotion. I'm also an older brother. Being the older brother means you always hear the footsteps behind you, even when you are walking alone.
Dan, this is such a beautiful tribute to your brother. I loved how you balanced humor with real tenderness, especially the way you wrote about protection, pride, regret, repair, and showing up when it matters most.
The pond scene is unforgettable. Funny, vulnerable, ridiculous, and sacred all at once. This piece says so much about brotherhood, but also about leadership, love, and the kind of relationships that become stronger because people are willing to listen.
Nicely done, Monica
Awe Monica! Thank you for making my day. I’ll be honest I was scared to publish this piece because it’s easy for me to say “leadership should be this and management should be that.” but there aren’t citations in a piece that’s about me and my relationships, who I am, what I stand for, and the mistakes I’ve made along the way.
You reading my piece makes this all worth it. And I appreciate you taking the time to sit with me as I share a story about me and my family. I appreciate the kind words. And I appreciate you seeing me :)
Thank you.
My pleasure Dan - Great essay!
Setting a great example of why it’s so important to open up fully to our loved ones! So glad you shared this, Dan. Loved reading it and especially the pottery metaphor. It’s why I like the Japanese pottery Kintsugi - learn to love the cracks and share them with others.
thanks so much Serena :) It was my first leadership advice I think I ever gave my brother and a few weeks ago he shared it back at me in conversation.
It’s been a part of how we think about what it means to be vulnerable and on display for a long time.
Thank you for pushing me to post this piece.
Such a sweet love letter. I hope he prints this and keeps it forever.
He’s a good brother. Thank you Mia :) I appreciate you reading.
Honored by your vulnerability, Dan. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Richard. I appreciate you reading the piece and being there with me.
This letter had so much. Love, humor, protectiveness, concern, and more than everything, pride for your younger brother. So well articulated, you took us strangers on a journey where we feel we know you two well.
🥹 thanks Tanu. I appreciate that a lot. Thank you for reading and being there with me in this piece.
Nice article Dan, can’t say my eldest brother is better looking though! 😂
That’s a title reserved for the younger brothers 😎🤣😂
I was trying to be police to the old guy! 😂