My dad wasn’t a philosopher, but he had a way of delivering wisdom that stayed with me forever. I remember sitting with him one evening, a cup of tea in his hand, as he leaned forward and said, "When you decide to marry, don’t look for perfection. No one’s perfect. Choose someone whose mistakes you can live with and whose flaws you can adapt to. Life isn’t about finding the flawless; it’s about learning to grow together."
At the time, I thought he was just talking about relationships, about love. But as the years passed, I realized his words carried a truth that stretched far beyond marriage. It was about understanding people, about knowing yourself, and about navigating life’s endless imperfections.
Now, as a father myself, I found myself in a similar moment with my teenage son. He had just come home from football practice, his jersey soaked with sweat, his cleats leaving clumps of dirt on the kitchen floor. I asked him to sit for a minute, to talk.
"Son," I started, "you’re at an age where you’ll start choosing your circle, your teammates in life, and maybe even someone special down the road. Here’s something my dad once told me: No one is perfect, not you, not me, not anyone. But the key to relationships, any relationship, is finding people whose flaws you can live with and whose strengths make you better."
He raised an eyebrow, curious but skeptical.
"Think about football," I said. "Would you pick a teammate who’s a star but never blocks or passes the ball? Or someone who doesn’t score as much but always plays for the team?"
He nodded. "The team player," he said without hesitation.
"Exactly," I said. "Life is like that too. Whether you’re picking friends, a partner, or even a teammate for a project at school, it’s about figuring out who balances you out, who you can work with through the tough times. Because, believe me, tough times will come."
He thought about it, nodding slowly. "So, it’s not about finding someone perfect. It’s about finding someone who works with you."
"Exactly," I said, smiling.
What I didn’t tell him just then, though I will someday, is that this lesson applies just as much to the business world as it does to football or friendships. I’ve learned this firsthand, watching partnerships form and fall apart.
The truth is, in business, just like in life, you don’t need perfect partners. You need the right ones. I’ve seen partnerships crumble because two people wanted the same role on the team, both wanted to lead, or neither wanted to handle the details. Success happens when you find someone who complements your strengths and weaknesses.
If you’re the visionary, you need someone who loves the grind of execution. If you’re the details guy, you need someone who can pull you back to see the bigger picture. And just like a football team, the best partnerships thrive not because every player is perfect, but because they know how to play together.
I’ve worked with people who drove me crazy with their quirks, someone too cautious when I wanted to take a leap, someone too bold when I wanted to hold back. But over time, I realized they were exactly what I needed. They challenged me, balanced me, and helped me see things I couldn’t on my own.
Years after that conversation with my dad, I see the wisdom of his words everywhere. Whether it’s my son deciding who to trust on the football field, me choosing a business partner, or anyone building something meaningful, the lesson is the same.
No one is perfect. But with the right people, you can build something extraordinary.
And so, as I passed that wisdom down to my son, I hoped it would take root, just as it had with me. Because life, whether on the field, in the office, or at home, is never about perfection. It’s about finding the people whose imperfections you can live with and whose strengths help you win the game.
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