--- title: 11 Lessons from my Dad that Serve Me Greatly in HR description: I learned a lot about life and leadership from my dad who was a great example to me, and remains one of my mentors and best friends. image: https://blog.threadhcm.com/hubfs/scott-and-his-dad%20Large.jpeg --- - - - - [Solutions](https://threadhcm.com/solutions/) - [Applicant Tracking](https://threadhcm.com/applicant-tracking/) - [Human Resources](https://threadhcm.com/human-resources/) - [Payroll](https://threadhcm.com/payroll/) - [Time](https://threadhcm.com/time/) - [Benefits Enrollment](https://threadhcm.com/benefits/) - [ACA Compliance](https://threadhcm.com/aca-compliance/) - [Employee Experience](https://threadhcm.com/employee-experience/) - [Learning Management](https://threadhcm.com/learning-management-system/) - [HR Consulting](https://threadhcm.com/hr-consulting/) - Resources - [Daily Thread Blog](https://blog.threadhcm.com/) - [Free Webinars](https://threadhcm.com/webinars/) - [isolved Releases](https://blog.threadhcm.com/tag/isolved-releases) - [HR eAlerts](https://blog.threadhcm.com/tag/hr-ealerts) - [Infographics](https://blog.threadhcm.com/tag/infographics) - [Press Releases](https://blog.threadhcm.com/tag/press-release) - [![Thread HCM](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Thread_February2020%20Theme/Images/thread-logo-green.png?width=100&height=100&name=thread-logo-green.png "Thread HCM")](https://threadhcm.com) - [Your Happiness](https://threadhcm.com/measuring-your-happiness/) - About - [Our Story](https://threadhcm.com/our-story/) - [Our Culture](https://threadhcm.com/our-culture/) - [Our Team](https://threadhcm.com/team/) - [Associations & More](https://threadhcm.com/associations/) - Contact - [Get In Touch](https://threadhcm.com/contact/) - [Careers at Thread](https://threadhcm.com/careers/) - [Broker or advisor?](https://threadhcm.com/partners/) - [Client Referrals](https://offers.threadhcm.com/refer-a-friend) - [Thread Office Closures](https://offers.threadhcm.com/thread-closures) - [![Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2515809/a2b12e0e-ed5a-400b-912c-d234fd8519d8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2515809/a2b12e0e-ed5a-400b-912c-d234fd8519d8) - *search* *Press enter to begin your search* [![Thread HCM](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Thread_February2020%20Theme/Images/thread-logo-green.png?width=250&height=250&name=thread-logo-green.png "Thread HCM")](https://threadhcm.com/) - Solutions - [Applicant Tracking](https://threadhcm.com/applicant-tracking/) - [Human Resources](https://threadhcm.com/human-resources/) - [Payroll](https://threadhcm.com/payroll/) - [Time](https://threadhcm.com/time/) - [Benefits Enrollment](https://threadhcm.com/benefits/) - [ACA Compliance](https://threadhcm.com/aca-compliance/) - [Learn + Learn Pro LMS](https://threadhcm.com/learning-management-system/) - [Consulting](https://threadhcm.com/hr-consulting/) - About - [Our Story](https://threadhcm.com/our-story/) - [Our Culture](https://threadhcm.com/our-culture/) - [Our Team](https://threadhcm.com/team/) - Resources - [Daily Thread Blog](https://blog.threadhcm.com/) - [Infographics](https://blog.threadhcm.com/tag/infographics) - [Press Releases](https://blog.threadhcm.com/tag/press-release) - [iSolved Releases](https://blog.threadhcm.com/tag/isolved-releases) - [Webinars – Live & On Demand](https://threadhcm.com/webinars/) - Contact - [Get In Touch](https://threadhcm.com/contact/) - [Careers at Thread](https://threadhcm.com/careers/) - [Broker or advisor?](https://threadhcm.com/partners/) - [Client Referrals](https://offers.threadhcm.com/refer-a-friend) - [Thread Office Closures](https://offers.threadhcm.com/thread-closures) - [Demo](https://threadhcm.com/demo/) - - - [Leadership](https://blog.threadhcm.com/tag/leadership) # 11 Lessons from my Dad that Serve Me Greatly in HR By [Scott Mastley](https://blog.threadhcm.com/author/scott-mastley) June 18, 2024 Leadership starts with what you see and hear growing up. Sometimes, it teaches you what not to do. I'm fortunate that watching my Dad gave me positive examples. It was Father's Day this weekend, so I've been thinking about him. Here's a little of what I've learned from him.  ![Scott and his dad](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/scott-and-his-dad.webp?width=300&height=400&name=scott-and-his-dad.webp) - **Keep working, not complaining**. *I saw him work for the same company for almost 30 years. It wasn't all roses, but he came home happy on purpose. He still teaches flying lessons a few days a week. He's 80.  I've worked since I was 12. * - **Respect everyone**.* My Dad went straight into the Navy after high school and moved from Minnesota to Florida, where he unknowingly sat in the section of the bus station that was not "for whites." He didn't know why everyone was staring at him. He told us these stories and made sure we knew how ridiculous those old separations were. People are people. * - **Ask first.  ***I got to work with my Dad for 9 years and watch him manage a large division of a company. He never jumped into a conversation with an accusation. He always started by asking questions and by looking for an opportunity to help his team perform better. * - **Give people a chance***   If you didn't work out in one job, he'd give you a chance to prove yourself in another position. He also told you when you needed to do better. * *I know this is long, but I couldn't wrap it up. It's my Dad! * - **Degrees don't make you successful  ***What you do, how you treat people, the decisions you make,  your daily habits, your risk tolerance, and your commitment to getting better contribute to your success. Friends help, too.* - **Understand your employees ***Get to know your team. Listen to them. Consider what's important to them. * - **Ask the experts** *Lose your ego and ask for help to save time and to learn more.* - **Be You ***I was allowed to be exactly who I wanted to be, which gave me confidence.   * - **Be Accountable for Your Actions ***I was taught to apologize in person and to clean a public restroom when I started a pie throwing fight (after a pie eating contest) and accidentally hit the pastor with a pie at our church carnival in sixth grade. I also learned the price for dry-cleaning a suit. * - **Don't carry resentment. Let it go. ***Carrying it around only hurts you, not them. Move forward. * - **No One Cares What You** **Drive ***Things are things. Your relationships matter. Laughing matters. Your family and your faith matter. * I hope I can be the kind of leader I was taught to be. Thanks for showing me how, Dad.  ### And if you want to rid yourself of work distractions so you can focus on what matters most there, let us know what we can take off your to-do list. #### **THE DAILY THREAD** The best tips on running a business delivered to your inbox.   ### Most Popular [![Creative Workplace Perks That Boost Engagement](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/party.webp?width=300&name=party.webp) Creative Workplace Perks That Boost Engagement May 5, 2025](https://blog.threadhcm.com/workplace-perks) [![A Heavyweight in Benefits](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Employee%20Engagement/Female%20doctor%20hand%20holding%20syringe%20with%20blue%20background%20and%20charts.jpeg?width=300&name=Female%20doctor%20hand%20holding%20syringe%20with%20blue%20background%20and%20charts.jpeg) A Heavyweight in Benefits March 20, 2025](https://blog.threadhcm.com/weight-loss-drugs) [![Mental health challenges in the workplace](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/landscape-mental-health.jpg?width=300&name=landscape-mental-health.jpg) Mental health challenges in the workplace November 29, 2024](https://blog.threadhcm.com/mental-health-in-the-workplace) ### Most Recent [![](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/offers.threadhcm.comtime-demo.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=offers.threadhcm.comtime-demo.jpg) Georgia Paid Time Off Laws (PTO) in 2026: A Guide June 22, 2026](https://blog.threadhcm.com/georgia-pto-laws) [![](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gas-price-pump-mileage.png?width=100&height=100&name=gas-price-pump-mileage.png) IRS Standard Mileage Rates: Calculating Mileage Rates May 12, 2026](https://blog.threadhcm.com/irs-standard-mileage-rate) [![](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Downtown%20Atlanta%2c%20Georgia%2c%20USA%20skyline..jpeg?width=100&height=100&name=Downtown%20Atlanta,%20Georgia,%20USA%20skyline..jpeg) An Overview: Minimum Wage in Georgia April 15, 2026](https://blog.threadhcm.com/georgia-minimum-wage) [![](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/paycheck-checkup-1024x416.webp?width=100&height=100&name=paycheck-checkup-1024x416.webp) A Guide to Understanding Gross Pay vs Net Pay March 23, 2026](https://blog.threadhcm.com/gross-pay-vs-net-pay) [![](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Savannah%2c%20Georgia%2c%20USA%20oak%20tree%20lined%20road%20at%20historic%20Wormsloe%20Plantation..jpeg?width=100&height=100&name=Savannah,%20Georgia,%20USA%20oak%20tree%20lined%20road%20at%20historic%20Wormsloe%20Plantation..jpeg) Understanding Georgia’s Noncompete Laws January 19, 2026](https://blog.threadhcm.com/noncompete-laws-georgia) - ### Previous Post Maximize Benefits with Health Flexible Spending Accounts - ### Next Post Thread Named to 2024 Inc. Best Workplaces List ### Recommended For You [![Georgia Paid Time Off Laws (PTO) in 2026: A Guide](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hubfs/offers.threadhcm.comtime-demo.jpg)](https://blog.threadhcm.com/georgia-pto-laws) ### Georgia Paid Time Off Laws (PTO) in 2026: A Guide ![Barbara Collins](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hubfs/headshot_circle.gif) [Barbara Collins](https://blog.threadhcm.com/author/barbara-collins) June 22, 2026 [![IRS Standard Mileage Rates: Calculating Mileage Rates](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hubfs/gas-price-pump-mileage.png)](https://blog.threadhcm.com/irs-standard-mileage-rate) ### IRS Standard Mileage Rates: Calculating Mileage Rates ![Barbara Collins](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hubfs/headshot_circle.gif) [Barbara Collins](https://blog.threadhcm.com/author/barbara-collins) May 12, 2026 [![An Overview: Minimum Wage in Georgia](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hubfs/Downtown%20Atlanta%2c%20Georgia%2c%20USA%20skyline..jpeg)](https://blog.threadhcm.com/georgia-minimum-wage) ### An Overview: Minimum Wage in Georgia ![Barbara Collins](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hubfs/headshot_circle.gif) [Barbara Collins](https://blog.threadhcm.com/author/barbara-collins) April 15, 2026 #### Get In Touch 12640 Crabapple Rd., Suite 340 Milton, GA 30004 - [678-366-3447](tel:+1-678-366-3447) - [info@threadhcm.com](mailto:info@threadhcm.com) - - - - [Applicant Tracking](https://threadhcm.com/applicant-tracking/) - [Benefits Enrollment](https://threadhcm.com/benefits/) - [Employee Experience](https://threadhcm.com/employee-experience/) - [Human Resources](https://threadhcm.com/human-resources/) - [Learning Management](https://threadhcm.com/learning-management-system/) - [Payroll](https://threadhcm.com/payroll/) - [Predictive People Analytics](https://threadhcm.com/predictive-people-analytics/) - [Time](https://threadhcm.com/time/) #### Want to Partner? Want to see exactly how iSolved can work for your company? - [REQUEST A DEMO](https://threadhcm.com/demo/) - [HR Consulting Services](https://threadhcm.com/hr-consulting/) - [Brokers & Advisors](https://threadhcm.com/partners/) - More Helpful Links - [isolved Releases](https://blog.threadhcm.com/tag/isolved-releases) - [Contact](https://threadhcm.com/contact/) - [Careers at Thread](https://threadhcm.com/careers/) - [Company Culture](https://threadhcm.com/culture/) - [Our Team](https://threadhcm.com/team/) - [The Daily Thread Blog](https://blog.threadhcm.com/) © 2025 Thread HCM. All Rights Reserved. - - -