Do You Care Too Much What People Think?
A CEO has no shortage of responsibilities. The role is complex—and it requires courage.
As the leader of your company, you’ll play the role of visionary, coach, strategist, brand advocate…
But the most important role you’ll play? Parent.
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Great CEOs are usually great parents, whether to their own children or to their employees.
You love your kids. But that doesn’t mean you never set boundaries with them.In fact, setting boundaries is part of how you demonstrate your love.
When it comes to my own kids, I feel some ownership for their long-term success and happiness. They ultimately make their own decisions, but it’s my job to guide them as they’re growing up.
It doesn’t mean they’ll always like what I have to say.
When I parent my kids, I’m keeping the bigger picture in mind. I’m balancing making them happy in the moment with what I believe will help them be successful in the future.
And if I’m never willing to risk confrontation—or my kids’ displeasure—I can’t make the best decisions.
I’m acting out of fear instead of leading bravely.
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Employees are like children—to a point. I don’t say that to demean or diminish the autonomy of fully-formed adults. But everyone in an employee role (including senior leaders) needs management. Most people want to be led.
Now, I hope you aren’t dealing with toddler-level tantrums or teenage huffiness in the office. But just like at home, you must be willing to risk making your team uncomfortable by doing what’s best.
If you worry too much about being liked, you won’t be able to do what’s right.
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For 15 years in business, my top priority was making sure my team was okay. That goal was driven by a love for my team—but also by the desire to be liked.
I avoided hard conversations. As a result, I wasn’t there for my employees when they needed me the most.
It took the better part of two decades to realize that wasn’t my #1 job.
My #1 job is to make sure the business is okay. That’s how the company thrives. That’s how everybody else gets paid. That’s how I ensure my team is big-picture “okay” in the long run.
I’m confident in my love for my team.
And that love allows me to make the best decisions I’m capable of, even when they’re hard.