When ambition shifts from advancement to meaning
I stepped onto the front porch to grab the newspaper for my wife Amy, a small daily ritual, and saw Michael Braun walking down the street on his way to meet me on the corner. I called out to him, and a spontaneous hello turned into our four-mile walk.
After a stretch of rough weather, that clear, calm morning felt like a gift. We looped McCabe Golf Course in Nashville and even crossed paths with Lucy, a dog who became a good friend during COVID, and her owner, Curt. The two of them walk miles together every day, and Curt and I now have a walk of our own on the calendar.
Michael and I connected first through family, the way many of these walks begin. He has five children and an upcoming wedding in the family. I have two children and a grandson, with a family gathering of our own approaching. Our appreciation for time with family was immediate and mutual.
Then came one of those small-world moments. Michael mentioned that his son plays Division I soccer at Wright State in Dayton, where my family lived for fifteen years. I plan to meet him there after he returns from his honeymoon.
Before long, the conversation moved beyond calendars and plans to something I've noticed in many leaders over time: how ambition evolves.
Early in a career, ambition often centers on advancement and the next opportunity. Over time, the approach changes. The leaders I know who have sustained success redirect and refine their ambition. Family, health, and relationships move higher on the list. Work still matters, but the focus shifts toward work that feels meaningful. The central question becomes less about what is possible and more about what deserves our attention.
We also talked about artificial intelligence, as many of us are these days. AI is a remarkable accelerator. It expands perspective and synthesizes complexity in ways that were difficult only a few years ago. But human judgement, formed over time, remains the advantage. AI can broaden the field of view; lived experience determines what matters within it.
Our conversation eventually turned to networks. Most people have access to far more in their networks than they realize. We are comfortable sharing updates and accomplishments, but less likely to share the perspective we've earned or the connections that could help someone else move forward. The more we invest in meaningful exchanges, the more our networks become engines for collective growth.
What stays with me is how a single walk keeps opening into others. Michael introduced me to his wife at our office, and the two of us may walk soon as well. Curiosity opens doors to new relationships.
Are you giving your time to the people and pursuits that deserve it?
