Being a strong leader in the workplace may not seem to be a transferable skill in relationships at home or conversations around the dinner table. We can improve the skills that help us in each important aspect of our lives.
Clarity Is The Gift We Give
Being clear is essential in both our professional and family lives and clarity helps us set expectations and boundaries, whether coaching a child to focus on their studies and contribute around the house or directing an employee to achieve specific goals. It helps us build mutual respect and trust.
In our personal and professional lives, we must check in with ourselves regularly and ask: What exactly are we trying to accomplish or improve in the next six months or years? What is our specific ask or expectation? And therefore, what levers do we need to pull?
If we are not clear on the answers to these questions, how can we expect anyone in our close circles to be? The more we practice clarity in our communication at home and work, the easier it becomes for the people in our lives to move in a harmonious direction. The alternative is ongoing confusion and frustration for all.
Quality Time Is More Effective Than ‘Facetime’
The quality of time we spend with our teams at work and with our families at home matters far more than how much time we show up or clock in. In both cases, it’s about mindful presence. And that starts with being aware that our time is finite, whether we like it or not.
Coming home in time for bedtime rituals or showing up for the school play loses meaning if mobile phones divert our attention. The same is true in our businesses. Showing up at the office at 7 am and leaving at 8 pm for the sake of being in the office won’t inspire our employees if we don’t invest focused, quality time in one-on-one conversations with them to better understand their values—their needs. Our kids and our teams can feel that lack of personal investment.
This understanding of quality versus quantity of time comes from facing where we are in our parental or entrepreneurial journey. Success often inspires entrepreneurs to create another product, another service, or even launch an entirely new business. But chasing quantity can often add to our distractions. Step back and ask around, starting with our life partners, whether that new venture would diminish the quality time we need to focus on our current business and our families.
Check-In Not With Authority, But With Intentional Empathy
As parents and business leaders, we may be authority figures, but we also have the potential to be coaches and champions. Our families and employees not only need our guidance, but our understanding. Leading with empathy starts by being human with those around us; checking in at a regular cadence, not by asking what they are doing, but how they are doing.
We need to demonstrate that we care about their worries or ambitions. It is our responsibility to offer assurance that their strengths are fully seen and harnessed. That is almost as true in business as it is in our families. Both our families and teams at work will commit to our vision if we take the time to ensure that they are seen, heard, and cared for.
This requires intentionality and a commitment to leave the enemy of intentionality, ego, at the door. When making a weighty business or family decision, let go of any need to be right or remain firmly in control. Try to avoid leading purely from a position of authority, and instead, focus on being more human.
Strong Communication Skills are Transferable (from Home to Work and Back Again)
Too often, we are so focused on building companies we risk isolating ourselves and getting caught in our echo chambers. The people looking to us for leadership and support whether in our living rooms or company break rooms are vital points of feedback for us to practice our communication skills and discover our blind spots.
The time to balance our schedules and priorities is right now and whether we are building a business or raising a family, the skills we gain in each environment can complement and strengthen the other. We just need to apply the most helpful principles of each so that we can master them in a more integrated, holistic way that respects our one whole self—whether parent, spouse, founder, or CEO.
For more insights and inspiration from today’s leading entrepreneurs, check out EO on Inc.
