November 12, 2019 | (58) Comments
Maxim No. 3: We lead in our professional lives and in our personal lives.
As both a senior project manager with Patient and Family Services, and a father, Maxim No 3: We lead in our professional lives and in our personal lives, spoke to me with a certain resonance. While I try to abide by the philosophy “work is work, and home is home,” the lessons I take from each can impact the other and often do. In such, I have noticed it is best to take control of these moments in my life and learn from them, and not just let them wander idly by.
Most of you, I imagine, would think that qualifies as common sense, but sometimes when you get bogged down by life, in and out of work, common sense is anything but apparent. In my mind, leadership stands in large part to taking ownership of the good and the bad. I see opportunities, both at home and at work, where I can intervene and help situations come to a better resolution.
In project management, my days are varied and rife with chances to help guide, influence and direct people into a lane that will help them better use their own gifts and learn new ones. An example some nursing staff might relate to is being forced to learn a new system or process for doing something.
Understanding their point of view is vital in helping see the best way to assist them in better accepting new changes. Sending in someone who cannot explain why this new way of doing something is a benefit to the staff and/or the patients will cause strife and a potential rift in a relationship with the people you were set to help. Leadership isn’t just about directing, but understanding what you’re trying to direct to.
At home some of those same principles apply. Try talking to a 6 year old and understanding their problems, and you might see some potential areas for improvement. Then try explaining to them how they should make changes so things will be easier for them. The result, they may try some of your suggestions for a short time, but then revert back to their old behavior after things don’t immediately change.
If you take that same 6 year old and really talk to them, and see things through their eyes, you’ll notice that same logic you use on adults won’t always apply to children. Leadership at home is more about being there, compassionate, understanding, and applying small nudges to help them grow into their own person. With home life, to me, it’s about the small, almost unnoticeable steps that eventually lead someone down the right path.
Leadership at home and work is mainly about knowing and understanding those you come in contact with. With staff, it’s about understanding and trying to see how your leadership can make both their lives and the lives of patients better. While at home leading is usually done by providing an example, listening, and helping people up when they fall down, because that’s what family and friends do.
I’d like to hear from you … how do you lead at home and in your community?
Take the leadership challenge, and score a spot at a Houston Texans event!
Over the next few weeks, Mark Wallace’s blog will feature guest bloggers who share how Mr. Wallace’s Leadership Maxims apply to them and their roles at Texas Children’s. Each blog post will pose a leadership question that you may respond to in the comments section.
Throughout November, the Corporate Communications team will randomly select 100 people from the comments to attend a private event with the Houston Texans, including a behind-the-scenes tour of NRG Stadium, an autograph session with two Houston Texans football players and photos with Texans cheerleaders. The event will be held on Tuesday, December 3.