“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17
Happy Friday, Brew Nation!
Have you ever noticed how God speaks to you when He really wants to get your attention? For me, it usually happens when the exact same message hits my radar from entirely different inputs over a short period of time. When that loop starts repeating, I stop and pay attention—because I know it’s a divine nudge.
This past week, the universe was shouting.
First, I read a powerful note from NFL Coach Tony Dungy: “We should all strive to stay connected to the good things around us – our family and friends who have been with us throughout the journey… In addition, we need to be proactive in seeking out and encouraging others, helping to keep them from being disconnected themselves.”
Then, I opened up Clint Hurdle’s book, Hurdle-isms, and caught his concept of building your own “Mount Rushmore.” Clint talks about the non-negotiable need for leaders to surround themselves with a trusted group of people who might be in different lines of work, but share similar roles and high-level responsibilities. A group you can call on at any time, with zero judgment, to share exactly what challenges you are walking through.
Right on the heels of that, our country celebrated the 4th of July, with national focus centering right on the actual Mount Rushmore. And finally, to lock it all in, the message at church this weekend hit the exact same note: In our current cultural moment, it is absolutely vital that we understand the importance of investing relationally in the next generation.
The message was clear, loud, and direct:
- John, who are you relying on?
- Who is on your Mount Rushmore?
- Who sits on your Personal Board of Directors?
The Barriers to the Bench
For me, that inner circle is a short, deeply valued list. But for many executives and business owners I work with, that list is completely blank. Why do we resist building our own Mount Rushmore? It usually comes down to three massive barriers:
- Busy-ness: We fall into the trap of saying, “I just don’t have the time to cultivate deep relationships.” We pack our calendars so tight with doing that we neglect the very community that keeps us grounded.
- Proximity: We allow physical distance or remote work structures to isolate us, forgetting that true connection requires deliberate reach, not just convenience.
- Pride: This is the silent killer. We tell ourselves, “I don’t need anyone else. I built this business, and I can handle these pressures on my own.”
Let me just stop that bus right there.
The Strength of a Sharpened Circle
If you think you can run an organization, protect your family, and grow your faith completely isolated from a trusted circle, you are operating on a dangerous assumption. Independent grit will only take you so far; true legacy requires community. Accepting help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s the ultimate reflection of leadership humility.
Scripture leaves absolutely no room for debate on this:
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
- Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
When we open ourselves up to a Personal Board of Directors, we aren’t just protecting ourselves from burnout; we are actively modeling what it looks like to walk humbly, grow spiritually, and sharpen the next tier of leaders around us.
- Quote of the Week
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less. It is the realization that you cannot do it alone.” — Rick Warren
Being the Uncommon Leader means throwing away the myth of the self-made man. It is the “huddle room” of relational vulnerability—the intentional space where the real strategy gets hashed out. Common leaders pride themselves on carrying the entire weight of the world on their own shoulders until they crack under the pressure. Uncommon Leaders have the courage to look at their peers and say, “I need your eyes on my life.” They intentionally build a trusted mastermind of giants who care about them enough to tell them the dirt-honest truth, keeping them aligned with their true mission field.
Email me at coachjohngallagher@gmail.com with the subject line “RUSHMORE” so we can connect and talk about how you can start building your own Personal Board of Directors this week!
What you need to do:
Action Item: The Mount Rushmore Audit
To step out of isolation and begin building a bulletproof circle of counsel this week, take action on these three operational steps. Email me at coachjohngallagher@gmail.com with the subject line “RUSHMORE” to share your breakthrough:
- Name Your Current Board: Take out a blank sheet of paper. Write down the names of the people who currently have permission to speak hard truth into your life with zero judgment. If you don’t have four names, acknowledge the gap.
- Identify a Peer Outside Your Sandbox: Reach out to one leader this week who is completely outside your industry but operates at a similar level of responsibility. Schedule a 20-minute coffee or call simply to connect on shared challenges.
- Proactively Encourage Next-Tier Talent: In alignment with Tony Dungy’s challenge, identify one younger or disconnected professional in your circle this week. Reach out specifically to encourage them and offer a listening ear.
Growth is the only guarantee that tomorrow will get better, but you were never meant to climb the mountain alone. Who is standing with you in the trenches today? Find your people, check your pride, and let iron sharpen iron. Build your board. – John Gallagher.
It’s an honor to be your trusted Friday Coffee Guy. Each week, I bring what I’m learning, living, and wrestling with in the trenches of executive coaching and Kingdom leadership. If this edition challenged you to drop the pride, stop the bus, and intentionally invest in your circle, share it with an overwhelmed leader who is trying to carry the load alone today, then click subscribe. Let’s grow Brew Nation together!
Until next week—stay humble, stay connected, and finish the race with joy, Champions!
