Clearing Hurdles Together

Just this week, my nine-year-old daughter Elizabeth had her first cross-country conditioning practice. It was raining, she didn't know anyone, and she was one of the youngest kids there. Beforehand, we talked about mental toughness and why hard things are worth doing. Looking into some pretty fearful eyes, I confirmed her terror: yes, this was a race. Individual and team. The point is to win.

Watching her shake her coach's hand at the end, beaming, is a moment I won't forget.

Running has been my passion for years, and it's one of the great metaphors for investing. A client told me recently that he stays with his advisor at Donaldson because when things get hard, even a small hurdle can feel too high to clear alone.

That stayed with me. We all have personal smarts and resolve, but not one of us can do it alone. We need coaches, parents, and trusted advisors. The people who help us stay on track when the course gets hard are the most sacred relationships we have.

The joy of helping you clear hurdles is why I love coming to work every day, and it will always be the heart of why Donaldson exists.

This article was featured in the Summer 2026 edition of the Rising Dividend Report.

Read more articles from this issue here.