OLD SKOOL!
The power of a song lyric from 22 years ago and how it can be your fuel...
The other day during my lunch break, I ran the track at school. It’s a summer practice I implemented a year ago sporadically, but this summer, on days I am in the office, I am locked in, with 100% success of completion. If I’m at work, I’ll skip lunch and go for at least a 2 mile run, EVERY SINGLE DAY.
A song popped on my shuffled music mix that brought a smile to my face. My guy
keeps telling me to run without headphones, but I’m a music guy; I save the headphone-less runs for nature. At the track, music is my choice, my preference.My best friends from high school and I have a practice of sharing screen shots of random songs from high school and college days that flash back a memory… We are spread out across the state, hundreds of miles away and as the seasons of life, the relationships become harder to manage amongst us. The quick pick-me-up text brings smiles and laughs. The songs are all over the place, but this one, towards the end of my run, it hit me right in the Bradley University circa 2003 feels…
Now hold on a minute, I know exactly what you are thinking…
Mid-40’s…
School district Superintendent…
Leader, listening to this crap… WHAT???
I would never claim that these lyrics have great artistry, but I also do not write music, so who am I to judge?
However, what I can say, without any worry about your judgement, is this song fires me up, then as a 22-year old fun-loving & graduating college student to now, double my lifetime, in age, ardent striving leader. You can judge, that’s fine…
Let’s dive in to the Youngbloodz and your judgement…
Here I am:
running on my lunch break, at work, shouldn’t he be working?
running, shirtless, in the heat, getting my Vitamin D, he’s 245 pounds, with a jiggling spare tire, doesn’t he realize he doesn’t look good?
running, pushing myself, setting goals, and achieving, but who does he think he is, showing off like that?
I do not track my hours; I get the job done, done well, and I know that I put in way too many hours as it is, including, nights, weekends, holidays, or whenever I need to get the work done.
I have seen the value of getting daily sunlight in my life; my vibe is better, my aura is more confident, and I feel better. It took my over 20 years to build that spare tire on a 365 pound guy, I’ve accepted that it’s going to take a while for it to whither away…
Just like me writing and selling a book, it isn’t about showing off; it is about empowering others. If I can provide support for one person, it was worth it. If I can provide a model for someone out there struggling with their own health and fitness, my energy and commitment to myself, is worth it.
I’ve faced doubters about my decisions. I’ve heard the whispers about how or why I do the things that I do. When I unveiled the first Stressed Leaders Retreat, I had friends doubting me, colleagues whispering, and that is OK. I knew it’s value and I have seen the rewards. And now it is ready to explode, as the Youngbloodz might say, “Damn the doubters!” But, why did this particular song pop up, at the exact right moment? The most simplistic of lyrics, no offense to Sean Paul, Lil Jon, or the Youngbloodz, but…
If you don't give a damn, we don't give a f**.”*
Not exactly Shakespearean, right? But, the beat hits hard and the simplicity of those lyrics grip you, because it’s raw, defiant, and unapologetic. And deep down, that’s the energy most leaders wish they could tap into—especially when every move they make is second-guessed by people who’ve never carried the weight.
I’ve written about Teddy Roosevelt’s Man in the Arena and it is one of my favorite speeches, but sometimes the power of a song lyric, just grips YOU!
Leading while being judged is like playing that song on repeat in your head…
Except you feel like can’t blast it out loud… But, it’s in there, it’s blasting in your head.
You’re expected to smile through the noise, stay composed, stay professional—while part of you wants to throw your hands up and say:
“Damn! Do y’all even know what this job takes?”
But the real flex isn’t losing your cool.
It’s staying grounded. Clear. Focused.
It’s knowing your worth doesn’t need their approval, that their judgement is not worth your time or energy—and that leadership is often lonely, not because you’re wrong, but because you’re out front.
And sometimes?
You gotta turn that inner "Damn!" into fuel.