Most meaningful Title in Life!

Not my normal post...but... perhaps my most important! It took me over half a century to realise the most meaningful title in life. It’s not Dr., it’s not Professor, or President. The greatest title is simply: “My child” - “παιδί μου.” When we’ve lost those who once called us by that title, we finally understand how foolish we were... If you are lucky to still have your parents or your grandparents around, drop your pens, drop your keyboards & call them now! And if you're twice that lucky and you are close, hug them! We spend decades building careers, chasing status, polishing CVs, sitting on panels, presenting at conferences… all worthwhile, all necessary in their time. But it’s easy, dangerously easy, to forget the value of the people who shaped us before any title ever mattered. When the voices that once called us “my child” are gone, no award, no promotion, no keynote invitation will ever fill that silence. That's why I mean what I said, if you are fortunate enough to still have your parents or grandparents, pause now. Close the laptop. Stop scrolling. Stop reading this post! Call them. Visit them. Hug them. Success isn't just measured in titles or LinkedIn accolades. It’s measured in presence, love, connection, and knowing you honoured those who gave you your first identity. And if you're leading teams, mentoring others, or shaping future leaders: Remember this lesson. Your legacy isn’t just in your strategy or systems it's in the way you treat people, the values you pass on, and the relationships you nurture. This post isn’t just about nostalgia, it’s also about perspective. You see, sometimes, perspective is the most important leadership tool of all. Ok, it may also be a secret wish for my kids to call me since I progressed to the second most important title of all...