The Myth of the Self-Made Man
Like many men, I bought into the myth that I had to do it all on my own. I thought asking for help was weakness. I thought vulnerability was a liability. I was a 'lone wolf,' and I wore that badge with a mix of pride and exhaustion.
"I was a 'lone wolf,' and I wore that badge with a mix of pride and exhaustion."
The Crash
The problem with the lone wolf strategy is that it works until it doesn't. For me, the crash came when I realized that despite my professional success, I felt hollow. I had acquaintances, but no one who really knew me. I was successful, but I was starving for connection.
Finding the Pack
My first experience in a men's circle was terrifying. I didn't know the rules. I didn't know if I could trust these guys. But as I listened to them share their struggles—real struggles, not just highlight reels—I realized I wasn't alone.
Over time, I learned that true leadership isn't about standing alone on a mountain. It's about being connected to others, lifting them up, and letting them lift you up. Today, I am a better father, husband, and leader not because I am stronger on my own, but because I am connected.
Written by
Dr. Wayne Byrd
