“True leaders don't invest in buildings. Jesus never built a building. They invest in people. Why? Because success without a successor is failure. So your legacy should not be in buildings, programs, or projects; your legacy must be in people.”

- Myles Munroe

Let’s talk about your tribe. Simply put, your tribe is the people around you. More specifically, it’s the people who count on you. Your tribe and your “why” should be inextricably woven together. Your “where” should be big enough to encompass the people you love. Likewise, your “why” should be equally big if not bigger. In the case of your tribe, your “why” is or should be your “because”. When, not if, the road to your “where” gets rough and you start to question “why” you’re still pushing yourself, the answer is “because”. You absolutely MUST keep going, “because” you have a family that needs you to reach your “where”. “Because” your community is depending on you. “Because” legacy is depending on you. “Why”?! “Because” your tribe is depending on you, watching you, and learning from your journey. You’re paving the way.

Many of us are “the first” in our family, community, or cities to do the things we have on our “where-list”. Of course, you’re tired, you’re the one doing the heavy lifting, not just for you but for your tribe. Often I’ve used the phrase, “it’s bigger than us” to my team and the people around me. I’m a firm believer that your overarching relationships need a bigger purpose than just being an acquaintance. My reason for that belief is simple. If your relationships have a purpose bigger than you and a big enough long game, it makes disagreements in the short term more manageable. It also makes talking through short-term disagreements worth it as well.

Grant Cardone tells a story in a pinned Tiktok video about a conversation he had with his now-wife. In the video, as he’s talking to his interviewer, he said he told her, “I’ll do anything for you except give up on my dream. If I have to surrender my dream, I’d rather be alone. Because if I’ll abandon my dream, I’ll abandon you.” His why was bigger than his feelings for her at that moment. Now, she and their children are inextricably infused with his “why”. The older I get, the more intentional I am when it comes to relationships. Face it, relationships are everything and the right relationships can open doors you’d never imagine. It’s like the old adage says, it’s not what you know it’s who you know.

As you continue to work through your “why”, make a list of the people who matter to you. Outline your tribe and why they’re important in your life. As you make that list, as in the last blog post, pay attention to how you feel about the people in your tribe. What we’re doing in this exercise will give you more fuel for your gas tank. It should give you a greater resolve to push through your fears, doubts, and whatever obstacle that gets in your way.

Until next week my friend. I look forward to jumping back into the “Why” of things with you.

Chris Chaney

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, do more, and become more, you are a leader...”

- John Quincy Adams

5.19.22