Karen Keller
People in business are taking charge, stepping into leadership, and managing multi-million dollar companies and enterprises. You do this with finesse and skill. You get noticed, receive awards, and become the I-want-to-be-like-her gal.
Is this how it goes at home? Are you taking charge? Leading the family? And managing the home front with an equal amount of skill? Do you get noticed (or even appreciated), a pat on the back or seen as the she-has-it-all woman on the block?
"Because I Said So!" Doesn’t Carry Much Weight At Work
Taking charge at home is different than taking charge at work. You don’t live with the people you work with, unless your spouse is working in your business with you. And the people at work are usually older than 8 or 16. Also, the “Because I said so!” phrase doesn’t carry much weight like it does at home.
So, what are the ways and benefits of "taking charge" at home and still finding respect, fun and harmony? You can practice the skill of leadership-outsourcing! Yes, leadership while outsourcing works at home, too. You see, outsourcing is simply the hiring of an outside service to perform a specific task. I’m not referring to hiring landscapers, housecleaners, or drivers. This is about influencing your family at home, applying the same leadership strategies and outsourcing tactics that you do at work. How?
5 Leadership-Outsourcing Tactics
Leadership-Outsourcing Tactic 1: Engage everyone in the day-to-day activities; meal preparation, laundry, cleaning and the general put-your-stuff-away! You made need to create a task chart but let them create it. Again, ownership!
Benefit: People take ownership and feel a sense of pride in their contribution. Not only getting the job done but contributing to the family’s success.
Leadership-Outsourcing Tactic 2: Choose the person who has the best skill for the job. Find something that each person in your family is good at. Give them a task that accents that skill. After they have mastered that task let them choose the next task they will develop their skill in.
Benefit: Skills are cultivated, and improved, qualifying the person to TEACH it to someone else.
Leadership-Outsourcing Tactic 3: Allow them to make mistakes and move on. It is important to know mistakes happen but there is no love lost. Observe before jumping in. Ask questions about how it could be done differently.
Benefit: Everyone in the family has the opportunity to be responsible. This is when things get done. Trust and goodwill will run rampant and lead to creative ideas.
Leadership-Outsourcing Tactic 4: Connect on a regular basis with your "team." Listen to what they like and struggle with. Brainstorm ideas on how they can do better or what needs to be learned. Encourage them to seek answers to the questions they raise. Let the kids struggle when figuring it out. The outcome will be that much richer.
Benefit: Maximizes solutions and minimizes problems. What family wouldn’t love that?!
