This week’s episode of You Are What You Give is about showing up and committing to others. Here are three takeaways from my conversation with Bruce Pearl.
1. “Earn This”
When Bruce says “earn this,” he’s speaking of a value that defines his life. He wants to earn the right to matter to his family.
It’s an emotional commitment, a daily decision to be worthy of someone’s trust, love, and belief. In Bruce’s world, giving begins with that kind of intimate responsibility: showing up in a way that honors the people closest to you.
2. Coach Them as Hard as You Love Them
You can’t lead someone to growth if you don’t know them. Coach Pearl starts with relationships, through thick and thin. Wins, losses, celebrations and camaraderie. Direct interpersonal giving becomes most impactful when it’s rooted in relationships.
3. The Absence Test: What if a Nonprofit Disappeared?
Bruce shared a straightforward filter he uses when deciding where to direct his time, voice, and influence:
If the organization disappeared, what would the world look like?
When you strip away the external layers of the conversation, what remains is the cause and the impact that’s generated. If you believe that the world needs this work to persist, then this organization is worth your support.
Bruce’s Giving Contributions
Leadership, at its core, is a form of giving.
These three takeaways offer a lens for thinking about our own roles:
giving as emotional commitment,
giving through relationship,
giving guided by clarity and purpose.
Whether on the court or far from it, Bruce’s giving insights have a lot to offer.