It was a beautiful spring day, there was a pleasant breeze, and the sun was shining brightly. The Rivers School baseball team was playing St. Sebastian School in Needham, MA and the field was impeccably groomed. My son, Marc, was playing centerfield for Rivers. He was captain of the team, a good hitter, speedy runner and a far better than average defensive centerfielder.

One of the aspects of owning my own business that I enjoyed the most was the freedom to schedule my own time. When Marc got his baseball game schedule, I put it right into my appointment book with green ink; never to be violated. On more than one occasion I was the only parent attending one of his games.

There I was on the aforementioned bright sunny day up in the stands puffing on a fine cigar and shouting to him, “put on your sunglasses.” Not once, but repeatedly throughout the entire game. Totally oblivious, of course, I didn’t realize that I was being a complete jerk!

All the while he went about his business playing in centerfield shagging fly balls and throwing out baserunners.

Marc came to me privately and quietly after the game. He put his arm around my shoulder and said, “Dad, do you think I’m a good centerfielder?” I said, “Of course I do, Marc; you’re great.” Then he said, “Do you think I’m smart?” My reply was, “Yes, of course I do, why?”

What Marc said next taught me two valuable lessons that day. He said, “Then don’t you think I’m smart enough to know whether or not I need sunglasses when I’m in the outfield?”

All I could do was apologize, hug him, and tell him how proud I was of the way he handled me. Wow what a lesson!

I was so impressed and proud of my son, Marc, that day. He waited for just the right moment, when we were alone, to teach me about trust and delegation, and he did it with such skill and humility.