Learning to use sound judgement is like most other qualities of great leaders and successful people — it comes with thoughtfulness, discipline and practice.
As family leaders it’s your job to create the right learning environment for your family. Here are four simple steps:
Model the Behavior
The family is always watching its leaders. Opportunities to demonstrate good judgement come in lots of ways like:
- How you communicate with and treat each other
- How you talk about and treat your employees
- Decision-making
- How you support each other and hold each other accountable
Take the high road, be an impeccable leader and remember the most powerful form of teaching is modeling.
Create Teachable Moments
Whether it’s the dinner table or the family annual meeting, create moments where everyone can discuss and collaborate on current events in the family, the business or the country.
Discussing thorny subjects gives family leaders a chance to explore people’s ideas and rationale for opinions and decisions. Strong, healthy families embrace discussion and debate as a way to deepen family values and good decision-making.
Expect Mistakes, Practice Forgiveness and Patience
Mistakes are still one of the most important ingredients to developing good judgement. Be patient and supportive when mistakes are made and encourage people to learn from their mistakes. Ask them what they learned (in a non-parent, more “coach-like” tone).
Reward Success
People who demonstrate good judgement have earned the right to have bigger roles in the family and the business. It’s important to be able to articulate that to your team. Remind your players ahead of time judgement is a critical skill to business and life success.
Judgement is part of the 50 Skills Assessment that can help you measure and build the right skills on your family business team. Email me and I’ll be glad to share a free copy of the assessment you can use with your family!
Play to your team’s potential!
Coach Pete
Pete Walsh is a demanding, courageous and playful Master Coach in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the founder of Peak Workout Business Coaching and the Family Business Performance Center. He can be reached at pete@peakcoach.com.
