Cultivating Character: A Father’s Guide to Humility and Growth - Craig Waibel, GM - Seattle Sounders

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What happens when a professional sports executive takes off the GM hat and steps into his most important role as a father? Craig Waibel, General Manager of the Seattle Sounders FC, brings us behind the scenes of his parenting journey with refreshing honesty and hard-earned wisdom.

Waibel, a former MLS player with four championship titles, shares a powerful framework for raising children that focuses on authenticity over achievement. "When it stops being fun, we're done," he explains about his daughter's volleyball journey, highlighting his commitment to nurturing joy ahead of competitive success. This philosophy might surprise some, coming from someone who's thrived at the highest levels of professional sports.

The conversation reveals intimate moments of parental growth—from learning to step back when his teenage daughter needs space to process challenges, to allowing her to see his vulnerabilities. Waibel recounts transformative lessons from his own upbringing, including when his parents confronted his self-deprecating humor with the firm directive: "That's not how we treat ourselves." These formative experiences shaped his approach to both leadership and fatherhood.

Particularly moving is Waibel's emphasis on integrity and communication. The open dialogue he's cultivated with his 15-year-old daughter didn't happen by accident but through years of intentional parenting. He describes the gratitude he feels when she shares her experiences and emotions freely—a connection many parents struggle to maintain during the teenage years.

Whether you're raising future athletes, managing a team, or simply trying to become a better leader at home, Waibel's insights transcend sports. His perspective on removing fear to unlock potential applies equally to parenting and professional settings. 

How might your relationships transform if you approached them with more humility, vulnerability, and genuine curiosity?

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