In another post, I wrote about a terrific parenting book called CDO Chief Daddy Officer: The Business of Fatherhood, by Chris Efessiou. A highly successful business leader and father, he made a strong case that many of the fundamentals of effective leadership also apply to being an effective parent. The book is full of actionable wisdom.
I was thinking about this book while reviewing some of my favorite quotes about leadership, and it occurred to me that many of them apply to parenting as well. So to make the point, and to give parents some wisdom from an unexpected source, I’ve translated these quotes, substituting “parent” for “leader,” etc.
Enjoy….
Almost everything in parenting comes back to relationships.
“Almost everything in leadership comes back to relationships.” – Mike Krzyzewski, American college basketball coach (1947- )
Outstanding parents go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their children. If kids believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.
“Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.” – Sam Walton, American business leader (1918-1998)
A good parent will make a child see what he can be, rather than what he is.
“A good coach will make his players see what they can be, rather than what they are.” – Ara Parseghian, American college football coach (1923- )
A parent is a dealer in hope.
“A leader is a dealer in hope.” – Napoleon Bonaparte, French emperor (1769-1821)
And the truth is that the best parents desire to serve their children, not themselves.
“And the truth is that the best leaders desire to serve others, not themselves.” – John C. Maxwell, American author (1947- )
A parent has to be practical and realistic, yet must talk the language of the visionary and the idealist.
“The leader has to be practical and a realist, yet must talk the language of the visionary and the idealist.” – Eric Hoffer, American philosopher (1902-1983)
As a parent, you should always start with where your child is before you try to take her to where you want her to go.
“As a leader you should always start with where people are before you try to take them to where you want them to go.” – Jim Rohn, American author (1930-2009)
Parenting is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.
“Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.” – Harold Geneen, American business leader (1910-1997)
There is no more powerful parenting tool than your own personal example….Be what you want your child to become.
“There is no more powerful leadership tool than your own personal example…. Be what you want your team to become.” – John Wooden, American college basketball coach (1910-2010)
And helping your child develop vital thinking skills is perhaps the best way to prepare them for leaving the nest. My new book: How Your Teen Can Grow a Smarter Brain.
You can grow the bond with your child through better listening. Download the FREE ebook, Listening to Understand.