Fabrice Dumans, Co-founder & CEO, Timyo

“My number one priority is my family.”

I would guess that nearly all of us have said the above or something like it. I know I have. I’ve also said something like the following:

“Our company is growing really fast, it’s great! Plenty of 15-hour days, but you’ve got to give 100%!”

I meant both things when I said them, or, at least, I thought I did. But if I was working non-stop for months on end...how was I prioritizing my family? I rationalized it the way that everyone does: “sure, I’m working really hard, but I’m doing it for them.” Putting insane hours and unlimited energy into work was something I was willing to do to make life better for my family, to build them a nicer life. The thing about a fulfilling life, though, is that it’s nice if there is a parent or a partner in it, not just some guy who comes home late at night and is back out the door early the next morning.

Dennis C. Miller, Speaker. Author. Leadership Coach. CEO

Life has taught me a lot of things that I could never have learned in a classroom. Especially since I never excelled in the classroom as a kid. Rising above challenges is a key part of life and a major ingredient in becoming a successful leader. Every time I failed or fell down in life, I was determined to get back up on my feet and become stronger. I became more motivated to succeed. A friend once told me that the best form of revenge was success.  I think that’s one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten. But there are 10 other life lessons that have helped me find my true path to becoming a leader and achieving my goals.