Here in the
United States, this coming Sunday, May 9, is Mother’s Day. I was blessed with
an extraordinary mother who loved me unconditionally. To honor her and mothers
everywhere, here are some inspiring advice.
1. Go to your
room and think about what you did.
It may feel
like the punishment you got as a child, but giving yourself a time out–time to
reflect, understand, and clarify–is one of the best things you can do to
improve your leadership.
2. Who do you
think you’re talking to?
How you speak
and what you say is important. As a leader, you are looked to as a role model.
People expect you to speak to them–and, more important, listen to them–with
respect.
3. Play nice.
It’s one of
life’s most basic lessons: Get along with others and treat them as you want to
be treated. It continues to distinguish the best and most memorable leaders.
4. Mind your
manners.
As a leader,
you are charged with creating a culture within your organization, just as
mothers tend to do in families. It’s your job to create clear boundaries of
what is tolerable and what is not.
5. If you can’t
say something nice, don’t say anything at all.
You will always
do well to remember how much negative words can hurt people, and to remind
yourself that not everything you think needs to be spoken. Using words
carefully, especially around others, is a critically important skill.
6. Please don’t
fight.
Especially if
you grew up with siblings, part of everyday life involved learning how to deal
with conflict and those you don’t get along with. Managing emotions and working
together toward productive solutions are hallmarks of great leadership.
7. You have an
answer for everything, don’t you?
It may still be
such a temptation to be argumentative, but you’ll be a much more effective
leader if you can take in Mom’s lesson to listen before you speak. You don’t
always have to come back with an answer. Often the smartest reply is just to
keep listening.
8. Don’t hang
around with a bad crowd.
You may not
have liked hearing it at the time, but again, she was right: Whom you spend
time with is a reflection of who you are. Every relationship influences you and
says something about you. Spend time with those who want the best for you and
reach out to those who need help.
9. Finish your
homework before you play.
Good leadership
is impossible without the ability to set priorities and be well prepared. Mom
was our first coach when it came to time management.
10. You can’t
judge a book by its cover.
Whole seminars
today are centered on this basic principle of diversity and inclusion. As
leaders, we’re all called to teach others not to judge quickly and to be open
to the gifts and perspectives of those who are different from us in some way.
11. Respect
your elders.
When life gets
tough we need guidance, mentorship, and support–and we look to those we
respect, often those who have acquired years of experience and wisdom.
12. I will
always be proud of you.
If you’re like
most of us, your mother was a source of unconditional pride. And that pride
reassured you that you could do better and provided support when we failed.
Now, as an adult, showing others that you are proud of them and believe in them
is the best possible way to pay that gift forward.
I know mom is
an important influence because there’s deep emotion when people reflect on
their mothers. There’s no question that behind almost every great leader or
thinker there is a great mom.
Credit: The Most Important Leadership Lessons
You Can Learn Only From Mom
by Lolly Daskal
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