No Mercy / No Malice: Preparing men for others

Scott Galloway’s oldest son has left for college, and his youngest is halfway out the door. That transition has forced him to confront a question that organizes this entire episode: what is his purpose now? His answer, which he has been living into for years, is “preparing men for others.” The phrase is borrowed from the mission of a military academy, but Galloway applies it to fatherhood. He argues that the most accretive investment a father can make is to show up more and speak up more—especially about the topics that are hardest to discuss, like sex, dating, and how to treat women.

The framework: negative ROI as a test of purpose

Galloway offers a practical litmus test for finding genuine purpose: negative return on investment. When you engage in an unselfish pursuit that cannot possibly generate an observable positive return—volunteering, national service, mentorship—you may have found purpose, because you are working for something greater than yourself. Preparing his sons for others fits that description. He doubts they will ever be up at 2 a.m. worried about him. No matter how nice a home they put him in, the flow of resources is largely one way. The dividends from building up their physical, emotional, and mental fitness will accrue to their future partners, children, colleagues, and the country. He will never see that return.