12 Secrets Your Employees (and Kids) Want You to Know

by Lee Colan
culled from:http://www.inc.com
Leaders are parents and parents are leaders. Different settings with parallel roles. Listen to these 12 secrets to be more effective on the work front and home front.
The more I Lead, the more I work with leaders and the more I parent, the more I see compelling parallels between leadership and parenting. Leaders are parents, and parents are leaders. They are in different settings with parallel roles.
Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D. wrote this poem, "Children Learn What They Live." As you read it below, replace the word children, with employees, and the connection between parenting and leadership is abundantly clear.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.

If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.

If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.

If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.

If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.

If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.

If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.

If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.

If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.

If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.

If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.

If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.

If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.

If children live with fairness, they learn justice.

If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.

If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.

If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

If your employees (kids) could share 12 simple secrets with their leaders (parents), they would be:

1. Keep Things in Perspective
2. Accept Us
3. Be Real
4. Talk with Us
5. Create Connections
6. Be Consistent
7. Expect the Best
8. Encourage Us
9. Spread Gratitude
10. Take Care of Yourself
11. Be Present
12. Live What You Teach

Listen to your employees (kids) and apply these insights to build a stronger team (family).
Please Listen Up, Parents is written by kids for parents and leaders. It has dual application to the work front and the home front. Elevate your leadership and parenting by applying this simple wisdom from the mouths of babes found in this rapid-read book designed for today's busy leader/parent. See FREE excerpt here.