In the world of business and leadership, we often talk about foundations—financial foundations, strategic foundations, foundational values for a company. But we rarely speak of the most important foundation of all: the one we build at home.
For me, the roles of “husband” and “father” are not separate from my identity as a “leader” and “founder.” They are the training ground. They are the source of my strength and the mirror that keeps me grounded. The lessons from my family have been, without a doubt, my greatest teachers in leadership.
Lesson 1: Patience is a Strategic Asset.
You cannot rush a child learning to walk or a teenager finding their voice. This teaches a profound kind of patience—one that is active and supportive, not passive. In business, this translates to the patience required to nurture a new venture, to mentor a protégé, or to guide a team through a difficult transition without resorting to toxic pressure. It’s the understanding that true growth happens on its own timeline.
Lesson 2: Unconditional Love and Conditional Performance.
At home, my family’s love is not based on my achievements. It’s a constant. This provides an incredible sense of security. In the workplace, while performance must be managed, people should never feel that their fundamental value as human beings is on the line. Creating a culture where team members feel safe to fail and learn is directly borrowed from the safe environment we strive to create for our children. It unlocks innovation and loyalty.
Lesson 3: The Clarity of Prioritization.
Being a committed family man forces you to be ruthlessly efficient with your time. It shatters the illusion of “busyness” and demands true “effectiveness.” You quickly learn to distinguish between what is urgent and what is truly important. This clarity has been invaluable in business. It helps me focus on strategic, high-impact activities and delegate the rest, because I know my most important stakeholders, my family, are waiting for me.
My work with Riel Homes is about building physical foundations for families. My work as a mentor is about building personal foundations for leaders. And both of these missions are fueled by the strength I draw from my own foundation at home.
Call to Action:
Reflect on your own life. How are the lessons from your personal life making you better in your professional life? Don’t build a wall between the two; build a bridge. The strength you gain on one side will always support the other.
