Who Has Your Back?
It's a simple question. But in leadership, life, and the low points in between, it's one of the most important ones you can ask.
We spend a lot of time talking about strategy. Growth plans. Market opportunities. Metrics and margins. But none of that matters if you don’t have people around you who can pick you up when you’re exhausted, call you out when you’re off course, or stand by you when things get messy.
I’ve had the privilege of building teams, leading organizations, and navigating both the nonprofit and for-profit worlds. And here’s something I’ve learned the hard way: It’s not about how many people report to you, or how many people follow you. It’s about who shows up—especially when they don’t have to.
The colleague who jumps in unasked because they see you drowning in details.
The mentor who reminds you of your worth when you’ve just failed hard.
The friend who doesn't need the full backstory to tell you, “You’ve got this.”
I can trace every major inflection point in my life to someone who had my back. A professor who saw something in me before I saw it in myself. A founder who took a chance on me when I was still figuring it out. A board member who reminded me that impact is rarely convenient—and worth it every time.
We all want to believe we’re self-made. But the truth is, nobody does this alone. The higher you climb, the more crucial it is to have people who’ll give you the honest feedback, the hard truths, and the steady encouragement. Not just the ones who applaud your wins—but the ones who sit with you in the losses.
So ask yourself:
Who has your back?
And just as importantly—whose back do you have?
Because in the end, it's not just about what you build.
It's about who you build it with.
“Everyone is a gangster until it’s time to do gangster shit.”
