Every day family leaders get to decide whether they are going to take the high road or the low road as they face the challenges of today’s business world.
The brain scientists have proven that when we take the high road we are:
- More resourceful and open-minded
- Utilizing the executive, problem-solving part of our brain
- Creating a more calm, mature and productive environment
- More likely to create successful business outcomes
When we take the low road we are more likely to:
- Focus on the negatives
- Breed a culture of hostility and resentment
- Shut people down
- Stay stuck in unproductive patterns
I’d like to suggest one of your family business goals be to expand everyone’s communication and leadership skill set. Coaching leaders can help their team develop new skills and awareness.
It’s illuminating when I go into a family business and begin to see the patterns of thinking that are contributing to their challenges.
We’ve been developing family business workshops for over 20 years to help families not only identify new skills and behaviors but also to create a process to practice the new skills.
Coaching vs. Training
I discovered the difference between coaching and training in 1997. Training gives me some new skills and sends me on my way. However, unfortunately the old version of me shows up again three days later.
Coaching focuses on sustainable change in skills, behaviors and results. Coaching is a process, over time, where the team is held accountable to integrating the new ideas into their daily work habits.
The first thing I do every morning is get on the high road. My phone, ipad and TV are invested in keeping me on the low road. Being on the high road is much more enjoyable and rewarding. Through daily practice I stay on the high road.
So what’s it going to be for you and your team? Try out the high road for a few days and see what a difference it will make. Here’s a short video I made that helps you understand the benefits of taking the high road. Click here to watch.
Coach Pete
Pete Walsh offers family business consulting services, workshops, tools and resources as the founder of the Family Business Performance Center. Subscribe to his newsletter or get in touch to get actionable insights to help your family business grow for generations to come.
