The Rising Tide

The Power of Building Paths, Not Walls

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September 28, 2024
The power of building paths, not walls graphic by Milemarker, featuring bold white text on an orange background with vertical lines.

Last year, I saw kids cutting through my yard from the woods behind my property line. I wasn’t surprised. I was that kid once, finding shortcuts wherever I could. 

What I didn’t realize was just how many kids were using my yard until my own kids showed me that Snapchat’s Map tool created a path due to the number of kids who came that way. We were the new neighborhood shortcut.

At that point, I had two options:

1. Build a wall – keep my grass from getting mashed down by the feet and bikes and scooters and wait for Snapchat to forget about this specific shortcut.

2. Build a path – prepare the ground for the amount of traffic by properly grading and filling in and rocking the space where lots of people could travel home, to school, to the library, or to get snacks from the convenience store.

I chose the path.

Next up, was figuring out how to build it. I found some tutorials online about different kinds of paths to build and got my family involved. I could’ve hired someone, but that would’ve missed the point. It wasn’t only about the final product—it was about creating a way forward.


Now, our yard path is well-known on Snapchat, and people stop by to make sure it’s okay they use it or to just thank us for the shortcut.

 
Walls or Paths: Your Leadership Landscaping

In business, we face the same choice: build walls or create paths.

When I told Eric Clarke I was leaving to start my own business in 2015, he could’ve thrown up a wall. Instead, he laid out a path for me. I’m still so thankful for that kindness. Real leadership isn’t about hoarding knowledge or blocking others’ growth. It’s about sharing your experience to help others succeed.

Ambition Meets Real Leadership

Walls—both imagined and real—are designed to hem people in. It’s our job as leaders to knock those walls down and clear the way for others.


When a top team member has big ambitions, do you put up a wall of “company needs” or do you help them forge their path? The latter is where the magic happens.

Saban: College Football’s Ultimate Path Builder

Look at Nick Saban. Yes, he’s known for winning national championships, but his true legacy is the paths he’s built for others.


The Kirby Smarts, Steve Sarkisians, and Lane Kiffins of the world didn’t just happen by chance. They were cultivated by Saban, who didn’t just teach them the X’s and O’s, but showed genuine care for their careers and lives.


Take Steve Sarkisian as an example. When Sark was struggling, Saban stepped in—not just as a coach but as a mentor. That intervention didn’t just revitalize Sarkisian’s career; it literally saved his life when doctors discovered a life-threatening heart condition. Saban went the extra mile to ensure his staff was okay on and off the field.


 

Leaders Who Build Paths Drive Greater Impact

And it’s not just anecdotal. Research backs this up: leaders who invest in developing others see stronger business results. Companies with robust leadership development programs outperform peers by 15% in revenue growth (American Management Association). The return on investment isn’t just financial—it’s cultural, relational, and long-lasting.

Building Paths in Business

In business, it’s no different. We need to build on-ramps for the next generation—especially for those who don’t look like us or come from the same backgrounds. Whether through hiring, leadership development, or client support, the paths we create today will shape the future of our companies and industries.

So, the question is: Will you build paths or walls?

Are you helping your team, your clients, and your community find their way to greater success? Don’t let the fear of someone else’s success keep you from helping them grow. There’s room for everyone to win.

At the end of the day, it’s not just about our own journey. It’s also about who we help along the way.