Send us a text

What happens when your approach to fatherhood is shaped by a determination to break generational patterns? Andre Mileti, Chief Revenue Officer at WorkBright and father of two boys, takes us on a deeply personal journey through his evolution as a dad.

Growing up in an immigrant Italian household in Cleveland with an authoritarian father left Andre with what he calls "adaptive child wounds" that took decades to heal. Now, raising his golf-obsessed 10-year-old, Andrew, and hockey-loving 6-year-old, Matthew, he's consciously creating a different experience for his sons than the one he had.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when Andre reveals his core philosophy: "Get over your own stuff." He admits spending the first half of his fatherhood still trying to meet his own emotional needs before realizing the true joy of parenting comes when you stop making it about yourself. This self-awareness, coupled with the courage to let his children experience failure, forms the foundation of his approach to raising resilient boys.

Golf emerges as both a passion and a powerful teaching tool in the Mileti household. Andre shares the struggle of stepping back as a caddy for his son—fighting the urge to line up every putt and prevent every mistake. The pride in his voice is unmistakable when describing how his son refuses to take mulligans or gimmes, playing every hole with integrity. It's in these moments that the challenging work of breaking generational cycles bears its most meaningful fruit.

For fathers wrestling with their own childhood wounds while trying to raise strong, ethical children, Andre's journey offers both compassion and practical wisdom. By fostering belief in our children's abilities while allowing them the space to fail and grow, we prepare them not just for sports but for life itself. 

Connect with Andre on LinkedIn to continue the conversation about breaking cycles and building character through thoughtful parenting.

Please don't forget to leave us a review wherever you consume your podcasts! Please help us get more dads to listen weekly and become the ultimate leader of their homes!