I have been thinking a lot recently about the unspoken form of leadership. Leadership in the home (as a parent). I believe is seen by most as more of a managerial function other than that of true leadership. Are you a leader in your home or a manager of your home? What is the difference? Is there a difference?

Seth Godin, best selling author says in the video below “Management and Leadership are totally different things. You think you are being a leader, but you are probably being a manager.” Although Seth is talking about these functions in business, it’s my believe that they apply the same in the home.

“Leadership is about finding the right people, agreeing on where you want to you go… It means embracing the failure of your people if it leads to growth.” As a small business owner it’s so hard to find the right people, train them and then hold back while you let fail and struggle. But the results are amazing. They learn, then become stronger and more self confidant in their work, and themselves.

I have five kids ages 11 to 4 months. In the past I have found myself doing a lot of what they should be doing. I think to myself, “I can get this done quicker, and do a better job if I just do it myself.” By doing this I am not allowing them to fail, struggle and  improve the next time. It’s hard to hold back while they struggle and be there to only assist along the way. I remember the first PB & J sandwich my 4 year old (now 11)  made. It took her maybe 15 minutes, and she made a big mess. Their was jelly in her hair, on the counter and on the floor. Many times I wanted to help, not just because she, “couldn’t do it” but I knew it was going to take me longer to clean the mess up than to just make the sandwich myself. Afterwards the sense of self accomplishment  she felt was worth it. Allowing our children to struggle and fail, then improve is critical to their self esteem now and their future success later on in their life’s. And that is really the goal as a parent.

What are you thoughts? How can we apply this to business and at home? Let me know in the comments.