4 Ways To Improve Leadership For Your Family Today

Recently I was reading an article that said that 90% of people lack natural leadership skills.  Does that mean we are lost as parent leaders? Only 10% of us were born to be good parent leaders.  I had to read this statistic twice to let it sink in. Because to me, it does not mean that 90% of us don’t have a chance.  It just means that 90% of us need to work on being good leaders. The dirty little secret is no matter who you are we all need to work on our leadership skills.

Leadership is the most important skill that anyone can learn.  No matter where you are in life when you get intentional about your leadership you get intentional about your personal growth.  You are a leader even if you don’t realize you are a leader. No matter your job if you are part of a family you are a leader.

But you might be saying, “Jason, my family lives hundreds of miles away and I am at school and live by myself.”  Oh, my friend, you are a leader as well. We are all leaders of one. We are leaders of ourselves. Leadership is the most important skill we can actively seek to learn to better ourselves no matter where we are in life.

So whether you are a parent, have a fancy leadership job, or are a leader of your own two feet here are 4 ways to start today to build your leadership skills.

1. Self Reflection – Take some time to get real with yourself.  Daily self-reflection helps us get intentional about what we are doing each day.  When we take the time to understand what we do each day we can identify the direction we are headed.
2. Set The Vision – The vision you have of yourself is the most important goal you can have.  We go day in and day out and make thousands of choices every day. How would these choices change if we were driving toward something, or better said someone.  If we knew the type of person we wanted to be and we worked to become that person every day.
3. Get Feedback – Once you know your vision and you are taking some time for your own self-reflection get some feedback from those around you.  This might be a best friend, spouse, or even your children. Make sure this is someone who has your best intentions and no agendas for you.  Those around us who want us to succeed can be important allies to help us grow. Tell them your vision and what you want to become and they can help you along the way.  Imagine a conversation that starts like this with your son. “I am trying to become the best person I can be. Part of that is working to be the best dad I can be for you.  What do you think is one thing I can work on to be a better dad for you?” Have them help you understand areas you can improve as well as areas you are already strong in. There is power in feedback from those we are looking to serve as a leader.  These conversations can be powerful and teach those we love a growth mindset through our own example.
4. Focus On Strengths – Get feedback on areas you can improve but some of the most important feedback you can get is on your strengths.  A Jeep will never be a sports car. But what a Jeep may lack on the track it makes up for on dirt roads. We need to understand our weaknesses but we need to accentuate our strengths.  You will find a natural momentum in your life when you start to focus on and develop your strengths.

If you are like me and are part of the 90% of people who lack natural leadership skills congratulations.  All that means is you know about it and can start to get intentional about them. Because 90% of people may lack natural leadership skills but the secret of leadership is this.  100% of people can learn leadership skills.  

When you start to get intentional about your leadership skills I promise you your life will change.  Your personal life will take the next step as you realize you are always a leader of 1. You are a leader of yourself.  Your work life will be better because you will find those you work with are looking for someone to lead them. Most importantly your home life will level up because the most important people you can lead are those you love. 

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Photo by Benjamin Manley on Unsplash