One of the beauties (or curses) of small business is the extent to which it is typically intertwined with our personal lives.
I recently spoke with someone who challenged this statement by saying he believed that the two should remain seperate… not affecting each other.
I asked him two questions:
1) Was he involved in leading a small business of his own? …He wasn’t.
2) Had he ever seen a divorce that had a positive impact on a business? …He hadn’t.
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While I occasionally speak with other leaders who swear by the practice of seperating their business from their personal life, I’ve never been able to do it. Nor have I wanted to.
I suppose one’s point of view on this subject will be influenced by the quality of life at both the office and the home, but I’ve found that a totally hot… totally kickin’… well run business can have a profound effect on a marriage and other relationships. And vice-versa.
On the other hand, high stress in either… tends to affect the other.
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In coaching new leaders and young entrepreneurs, the greatest joy is to see them succeed in every area of life… to be as successful in their personal life as they are in their business life… to keep what they’ve earned… and to be respected the most, by those who know them best.
I wish you incredible success in 2009, and I look forward to hearing from you.
For consideration:
Are you a better leader in your business… your community… or your home?
What do believe is your greatest leadership success? Greatest leadership failure?
What challenges do want to put behind you for good in 2009?
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