Whether you are leading a small family or a large multinational corporation, the principles of leadership remain the same. Let’s take a look at ten of the most valuable and enduring habits of successful leaders.
1. Listening skills.
You have to be able to really hear what other people are saying to you. This is true in both work and personal relationships. One of the best ways to let others know they have been heard is to paraphrase what they said. Then the conversation can move to the next level.
2. Educate your team and your loved ones. A growth perspective is important in both cases—and in business, if you don’t keep up with the latest technology, you could fall behind. Everyone who has ever worked for me has been to Toastmasters. I pay them to do it on company time because the return on investment is 100 to 1.
3. Authority is important. Just make sure you have a few folks who will challenge you and not just say yes all the time because you’re the boss. And remember that there is no president of your relationship, so you need to lead by being a good partner.
4. Diplomacy is your best friend. If you manage or argue by intimidation, you are fighting a losing battle. Communicating with kindness is more effective than giving orders (even if you are the managing director). People who work with you (and your loved ones) will perform amazingly well if they simply feel the love.
5. Empathy is your second-best friend. Simply put, no one will care how much you know until they know how much you care. When your family and your team know that, they will move mountains for you.
6. Rev up your team. They are going to get their energy from you, so if you are fired up, they will be too. Don’t expect them to strike the match—that’s your job. Theirs is to carry the torch. Yes, you are the cheerleader, coach, and team/family doctor.
7. Support those who support you. I get more pleasure out of seeing my family and my staff succeed than I do when it happens to me. Knowing that they are feeling good about themselves and those around them is really my greatest reward. I want my family both at home and at work to enjoy their lives.
8. Humility will help get you through the rough patches. Especially when you know that the true meaning of the word is “to be teachable.” If you stay open and embrace lifelong learning, all your questions will eventually get answered and you will be more empowered. It is never too late to save a broken family or company.
9. Interdependence is better than independence. You need to rely on other people. I am not the CEO of my relationship, and although I run my own business, I ask a lot of questions and make sure everyone is on board before making any big changes.
10. Principles are paramount to success in all walks of life. Align with those who share your values and make sure you walk your talk. Then everyone who counts on you will feel safe, make better partners, and enjoy life more—and you will too.
Those of us who have families and businesses that we love need to remember, especially when things get interesting, that a guiding light can help get you through difficult times. Use these tools to get the most out of your life and be able to give to the ones you care for.
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