Being a manager is like being a parent. A little. Being a parent is like being a manager. Somewhat.

In May and June, we celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Days. True, they were Hallmark inventions, but those two roles are the most important roles we can ever play in our lifetimes.  Managing people, we need to have some of the same characteristics that we need in order to be successful parents. They are:

1 - compassion for ourselves, our team/family, our friends and enemies

2 - the ability to admit what we don't know and the willingness to learn

3 - the skill to delegate appropriately - ask the right person (at the right "age") to do something that will benefit the team/family and the person

4 - the willingness to walk one's talk - "do what I do and what I say" - is the best example we can be

5 - the desire to draw the line where the line needs to be drawn - "this won't happen in my team/in my family" is often needed to be said and acted upon, even if it hurts

6 - the choice to deliver difficult messages when they are needed, and to deliver those messages in an empathetic, authentic manner 

7 - the willingness to laugh at ourselves and each other

8 - the focus to set agreed upon goals and to work hard, supporting the team/family to accomplish those goals together

9 - to give and demand respect to everyone, no matter what age or position they might hold

10 - when mistakes are made, to focus on the learning from them rather than blaming wrongdoers

It isn't hard to understand what it takes to be a good Mom or Dad, or what it takes to be a good manager. It is the living of it that is a challenge. Happy Mother’s and Father’s Day to everyone. If you are not a parent, you certainly were a child once! And if you are not a manager, you certainly want your manager to be following the "10 commandments" listed above.

We all talk about being decent parents/managers. Let's see what ONE thing we can do different today that will further that dream.