What makes a good leader?
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Ever watch a toddler triumphantly pull up their own pants and beam with pride? That’s leadership unfolding—in the everyday chaos of family life, where small wins build big resilience.
What Self-Awareness Builds
A good leader knows their strengths and recognizes when others have strengths they don’t. This self-awareness keeps them humble and helps build strong, well-rounded teams instead of trying to do everything solo. Rather than feeling threatened by others’ gifts, they feel grateful and make space for those gifts to shine .
Delegation That Empowers
That mindset fuels effective delegation. Good leaders don’t just hand off tasks; they match people with responsibilities that fit their abilities, interests, and growth areas. This empowers others to take ownership, build confidence, and develop skills—making leadership contagious as people step up .
Stress Without the Spillover
Good leaders handle stress well—like staying calm through potty regressions or toddler meltdowns at home. Pressure from deadlines, conflict, or surprises is inevitable, but they pause, prioritize, and respond calmly instead of reacting. By staying grounded, they create safety for their team and family. They also prove it’s possible to navigate challenges without losing compassion or perspective.
Leadership at Home
I see this at home too. Delegating laundry to my 6-year-old son lets him tackle it on his own schedule, building ownership and resilience. With my 2-year-old daughter, encouraging her to pull up her pants herself after the bathroom means she gets better each day through small wins. Ours started with a Baby Bjorn potty seat (affiliate link), toilet seat insert (affiliate link), and wooden step stool (affiliate link) for that independent reach.
That’s good leadership in action. Recognizing each child’s unique strengths, giving age-appropriate responsibility, and inviting them into solutions instead of just following orders. The key? Commitment: leadership means little if you’re emotionally absent at home .
Leadership isn’t about holding the reins—it’s about releasing them wisely so others can run. Who are you empowering today? In families, teams, or communities, the best leaders steward growth, leaving a legacy of capable, confident people who carry the torch forward.
Feature photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash
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