Article September 12, 2005 Issue

BE who you are

By Riley Seay

As A Child I didn't understand the fear that attended my relationship with my dad and his concern about how I was going to turn out. When I went to college, he insisted that I take certain courses and outlined the career path he thought best for me.

Later I realized that much of his concern was based on his need for me to be successful and prosperous. While such concern isn't unusual for fathers, in this case it smothered my sense of self-worth and the development of my talents. Whenever I expressed an interest in a field he didn't think I should pursue, he'd shut it down by pointing out all the negatives. After a while, I just complied.

I tried to be the businessman Dad wanted me to be. We were in business together for several years. While the business was successful our relationship was not; we were constantly bickering—over anything and everything. There were times we did not speak to one another.

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