5 Leadership Lessons My Dad Wants Me to Learn

A father shares the leadership lessons he’s learned throughout his career to his daughter. 

If mothers are often called the light of the home, fathers, on the other hand, are often likened to the pillars. Fathers are often expected to provide a strong foundation for the family and to protect the family members.

This comparison can also be made when it comes to leadership. Like a father, a leader is someone who provides a strong foundation for the team. A leader is someone who can hold the team together and protect it when things go wrong. 

In this way, fathers and leaders are similar, and there is much to learn from someone who is both a father and a leader in his own right. 

For this Father’s Day, I asked my dad, SM Development Corporation Vice President for Project Development Sandro Javier, to share what lessons on leadership he wants to impart to me, his daughter, and the readers of The Business Manual. 

Being a Role Model and Setting a Good Example 

It’s often said that leaders should always be a role model to their subordinates and that they should set a good example. I asked my dad why this is so and how this is meant to be beneficial to those who look up to the leader for guidance. 

He tells me that leaders, like fathers, have the ability to influence, inspire, and motivate those around them. It’s because of this that leaders should demonstrate the values and ethics that they want to instill in their team. 

“People will look at the leader, follow their vision, and even most likely emulate their leader’s behavior,” he says. “This can help those who look up to the leader to develop confidence and self-esteem and even become responsible in achieving their goals.”

According to him, having a leader that sets a good example can also increase the team’s productivity, improve collaboration, create a positive work environment, and foster better decision-making.

What Leaders Should Always Do

According to my dad, just as fathers should be the number one cheerleaders and listening ear of their children, leaders should always motivate and maintain open communication with their team. He stresses that “It is in the leader’s motivation and open communication that his team understands the purpose of achieving their goal.”

“People become more responsible,” he adds, “leading to better output and efficiency.”

Keeping an open communication with the rest of the team also allows for openness and the sharing of ideas and feedback. A team will not hesitate to share their opinions with a leader who listens and encourages openness. In return, they will be more receptive to feedback from a leader who they know only wants to motivate them to do better. 

What Leaders Should Never Do 

If leaders should always motivate and be open to communicate, leaders should never neglect and discourage their team. 

“A leader should always stand with his people and never quit,” my dad explains to me. “Good leadership boosts morale, confidence, and teamwork.” 

For him, leaders who neglect and discourage their team will foster an unhealthy environment. Instead, leaders should develop an environment where people feel that they are important, valued, and engaged.

What Trait All Leaders Should Possess

There are many positive traits that leaders should possess, but for my dad, one trait that every leader should possess is the ability to be an enabler. 

“A leader should focus on creating an environment and culture where everyone can thrive and achieve their goals,” he says. “For them to thrive and achieve their goals, the leader should coach and empower his people.”

As a leader, my dad also believes that’s important to build trust in the team and delegate tasks. Leaders should be able to communicate clearly and promote a culture of teamwork and support.

The Kind of Person Leaders Should Be

Lastly, a good leader, says my father, is someone who can walk the talk and be responsible even when times get tough. 

“A good leader knows how to accept mistakes and defeat,” he points out. 

Leaders wear many hats, but it takes a good leader to become an effective mentor and coach. A good leader is a person who is able to influence, build good relationships, and be an active listener who makes the team feel heard.

A good leader, like a good father, should be a person of integrity.