« Previous Entry |
Main
| Next Entry »
Employee Management | November 27, 2007
Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Dad I Learned From Being a CEO
Posted by Clint Greenleaf at 9:36 AM
OK, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration -- my only child is 7 1/2 months old and I'm barely able to keep up with her. But there are a lot of things that I've learned from managing people that translate well into parenthood -- and vice versa.
Let Them Cry
Sometimes, no matter how hard it may be, you need to let them cry it out. Whether it's an employee who wants more of something but hasn't quite earned it yet (money, PTO, etc.) or a baby who is overtired and needs to sleep, you can't always get what you want. As a parent and a CEO, you can't always give them what they ask for. That's an important lesson for everyone.
Count to 10
I've found that in most cases when I'm really angry, it's a very temporary thing. I am usually much less irate after I've had some time to cool off, whether it's because an employee made a big mistake or because my daughter puked on my suit. Losing your temper is not a good way to show that you are in charge and worthy of respect. It's also not a good way to help your staff/child improve. Count to 10 before you react, and think about how a measured response will get you much better results.
Let Them Fail
Man, this is a tough one. There are many times when you just need to sit back and watch people fail. It's for their own good, but my God it's hard to do. Employees need to botch a sale, sometimes, in order to learn how to do it correctly. Kids are the same way. They have to fall down when trying to stand, walk or ride a bike. If you save either from the mistakes before they happen, you'll deprive them of the chance to learn important lessons firsthand.
Carrots, Not Sticks
After a few years of training with the US Marine Corps, I learned how training using the stick works. (I did have a few brilliant officers who understood other methods, but the majority of them were well schooled with sticks.) My employees, however, have shown me that carrots work much better. This is a wonderful lesson that really works with kids, too. Rewarding good behavior creates a desire to behave well without all the trauma of avoiding pain.
Be the Boss/Parent
There is a desire among bosses to be friendly with your staff. There are a number of benefits to this, and it's often encouraged, but when push comes to shove, you have to be able to separate as a friend and be the boss. There is a huge difference between being friendly and being friends. A friendly boss can still be a boss when he or she needs to be, but it's really hard to crack down on your friends. Parents are in the same boat -- you can love your kids, but you are not their friend. You need to have that separation for times when you need to use your authority.
There are so many parallels between management of employees and parenting. By learning from both arenas, you can strengthen your skills in both. And remember, it's NEVER okay to shake an employee.
|
is your arsenal for developing and maintaining sound financial plans and business strategy.
Inside: Budgeting | Compensation | Valuation 
Well said-
I am the oldest of 8, so I was a "parent" well before any of my own children were born but the message (and parallels) have always worked well.
From my personal experience, learning to get results from siblings has definitely helped me get results from the members of my business team. Learning to cooperate and understand other's internal issues has also been helpful working with client/customers when the "right" choice was apparent but not easily palatable.
I'd add this as an addition to the "carrots rather than sticks" rule...whether you are a parent or a CEO, your job is to give your staff/child person the tools to become increasingly independent of you. A child/staff person, who feels good about trying, can come back from setbacks, can work creatively on their own is, in my experience, and observation, one who has been managed through the "carrot" approach rather than the stick approach.
The stick..be it with a child or an employee...works only in the short term. You get compliance and/or obedience, but you don't get someone who willingly and joyfully goes beyond the requirements.
Let them fail, is Ok for an over enthusiastic or good but over smart subordinate otherwise,it is wastage of time for sincere workers.
Be a Boss/parent, It is easy to be a friendly parent than boss. Kids do not have an option to move out whereas subordinates have.
I think you'll be learning a lot more about being a parent than you know now -- at least wait until you've tried running after a 2 year old, toilet training a 3 year old or dealing with a 13 year old who thinks she knows everything before pontificating on the connection between parenting and being a boss. I guess I'll check back in about 15 years from now to see if actually bringing up a child has modified your all too facile views of how to deal with both family members and people who work for you.
To 'A Parent': Wow! That's pretty harsh, and at the same time I have to agree. Got teenagers, Clint? Your points about managing employees make sense; however, you've got a whole lot less invested in any employee than you will ever have in your own child. Just wait for those sex and drugs conversation...and count to 10.
I wish you success in your family as well as your business! Best wishes - Monica
Well, I am in the business of watching how parents manage their children and unlike your situation the kids respond much better to guidance and direction than the parents do...so perhaps we all really need to spend more time visiting and learning from our children...do the job, then lighten up!
When they are babies, all is well (and forgivable). When they have gotten to an age of accountability (knowing right from wrong), you have to stand up for yourself or be hornswaggled into whatever deeds they do, and they will.
I ahd a very nice little kid who has grown into a sullen 16 year old that has decided that any bad behavour is just fine by him. He is trying to go live with his dad, who never grew up either. I see a horrible future for this kid. Am I supposed to have him locked up or let him go to his other parent and watch it happen from afar?
Signed,
Wits End
Post Your Own Comments