Blog: What Does Father’s Day have to do With Effective Leadership?

As I think through what to do in order to honor and celebrate my dad for Father’s Day, I find myself reflecting on how fortunate I am to have such a wonderful dad.  He has always been a quiet pillar of strength for our family.  To me he represents:  stability, security, respect to others and self, consistency, non-judgment, encouragement, inspiration, careful listening and loyalty.

In addition to all of these positive strengths, he still holds the ability to call for correction when it is needed and his family, as well as those who work for him, respond positively.  How does this happen?  It happens through the first attributes listed but also because he has built relationships and has earned respect with those around him.  We are open and receptive to correction when we know the person bringing correction in our corner has our back and wants the best for us.

When I think about my dad, I can’t help but draw parallels between what it takes to be an effective father and what it tasks to be an impactful leader.  Whether you are male or female, young or old, to lead effectively you need to embrace the same characteristics it takes to be a great father.  When you reflect upon your leadership, do you demonstrate the attributes describe above:  stability, security, respecting others and self, consistency, non-judgment, encouragement, inspiration, listening and loyalty?  As you reflect on these characteristics, here are three questions to ask yourself:

1. If I were to walk around my office and ask my direct reports, peers, boss or vendors to describe me, what would they say?
2. Would I be pleased with the description they give?
3. Do I work diligently to build relationships that are strong and withstand storms, change, challenges and a call for correction when needed?

If you are not pleased with any of the answers to the above three questions, what will you do differently?

This is a meaningful blog to me for two reasons.  First, it honors a very important man in my life, my father.  Secondly, it also stirs me to action… to strive for a higher level and to be a better leader.  It creates a desire in me to follow in the footsteps of my father’s example.  I hope my very nature (Def:  The basic or inherent features of something, especially when seen as characteristic of it) can be a reflection of my dad’s example of leadership.  Although I have not chosen the same career path as my father, I can choose the same leadership path.

How about you?  How do you define leadership?  Do you have someone in your life that inspires you to be better as a leader?  If so, I hope you will share your story with us.  Also, if you are interested in working with a coach to become a more effective leader, I hope you will contact us today at and Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads our there!  Continue to lead well and inspire!!