My wife and I were driving to one of the many birthday parties that have become a part of our weekend life since kids. We began talking about how we struggle a little with the influences various people have on our children.
We have a diverse array of friends, coworkers, neighbors, schoolmates and loved ones we regularly interact with. Naturally, there is also a diverse array of beliefs and values that these people hold, and as most parents will agree, some of what we run into runs counter to what we are trying to teach at home. Although we do not always approve of these exposures, we wouldn't trade them for a narrower view of the world, even though narrower is easier.
My daughter, thankfully, is at the point where she relishes telling us what things she has learned on her adventures away from us, be it at sleepovers, school trips or time with family or a sitter. We cringe whenever she repeats some limiting belief or ignorant outlook on the world others have painted as fact. It may have been delivered to her via course language or less than progressive ideas, or even though questionable actions that go ignored.
It takes effort for us to give her an alternative view and explain how, even though our family is tolerant and accepting of other points of view, we have chosen to live life a particular way and some things we do not accept at home. This could be as straightforward as a violent cartoon show, or more complex like an ignorant slur, or activities such as smoking.
It occurred to my wife and I that we could shelter and limit what we deemed “harmful” exposures, but that would be a disservice. Doing so would only result in sheltered children, who would grow up ill prepared for the challenges of the world. Instead, we agreed, we must equip them with tools to overcome the obstacles they face. Obstacles will always appear; the world is full of challenges. The only requirement is to be stronger than the problem before you. To do that as parents, we need to ensure our influence is stronger than that which our children are exposed. The same is true in all leadership.
Provide the tools, the inspiration and ultimately the trust. You will need to make corrections when those you serve go astray, but more often than not just a slight redirection to the mission or vision is all that’s required. Doing this a little bit, but constantly should help prevent the need for a major, more painful and possibly less successful correction in the future.
Never doubt the influence one human being has on another. For good or bad, help or hindrance, limiting or limitless we are interconnected. Know that in everything you do, you are an influence and act accordingly.
We have a diverse array of friends, coworkers, neighbors, schoolmates and loved ones we regularly interact with. Naturally, there is also a diverse array of beliefs and values that these people hold, and as most parents will agree, some of what we run into runs counter to what we are trying to teach at home. Although we do not always approve of these exposures, we wouldn't trade them for a narrower view of the world, even though narrower is easier.
My daughter, thankfully, is at the point where she relishes telling us what things she has learned on her adventures away from us, be it at sleepovers, school trips or time with family or a sitter. We cringe whenever she repeats some limiting belief or ignorant outlook on the world others have painted as fact. It may have been delivered to her via course language or less than progressive ideas, or even though questionable actions that go ignored.
It takes effort for us to give her an alternative view and explain how, even though our family is tolerant and accepting of other points of view, we have chosen to live life a particular way and some things we do not accept at home. This could be as straightforward as a violent cartoon show, or more complex like an ignorant slur, or activities such as smoking.
It occurred to my wife and I that we could shelter and limit what we deemed “harmful” exposures, but that would be a disservice. Doing so would only result in sheltered children, who would grow up ill prepared for the challenges of the world. Instead, we agreed, we must equip them with tools to overcome the obstacles they face. Obstacles will always appear; the world is full of challenges. The only requirement is to be stronger than the problem before you. To do that as parents, we need to ensure our influence is stronger than that which our children are exposed. The same is true in all leadership.
Provide the tools, the inspiration and ultimately the trust. You will need to make corrections when those you serve go astray, but more often than not just a slight redirection to the mission or vision is all that’s required. Doing this a little bit, but constantly should help prevent the need for a major, more painful and possibly less successful correction in the future.
Never doubt the influence one human being has on another. For good or bad, help or hindrance, limiting or limitless we are interconnected. Know that in everything you do, you are an influence and act accordingly.
