It’s Good to Be King — But Better to Be Your Best

From high school lessons to leadership chairs, it all comes back to the same thing: do your best, where you are.

Back in high school, I’m sure a few of you have heard me say this before — “it’s good to be king.”
A line borrowed straight from a Tom Petty song, and one that used to make my friends laugh.

But even then, I’d always add:
“It’s better to be the best.”

That thought stuck with me — from teenage days walking the halls, to years later sitting in a big chair in a big stone room, leading a board, making decisions that impacted families and programs. Titles come and go, but that truth never changes.

These days, I’m not sitting at the head of the table thinking about being “king.” I’m focused on something more important — delivering for my family and being the best I can be in the moments that actually matter.

Life has a way of humbling you. It reminds you that leadership isn’t about the title or the chair — it’s about what you do when no one’s watching.

So wherever you are today — whether you’re running a business, leading a classroom, or just trying to get through another busy week — remember:
You don’t have to be the king.
You just have to be your best.