20 Leadership Lessons From 16 Years of Marriage
Marriage is one of the best personal development course I’ve ever taken.
I asked my husband to marry me on Valentine’s day in 2002. We are 26 years together.
I can’t remember if I proposed or told him he had to marry me and make a decent woman out of me!
On this day in 2003, he finally married me.
Ed is my best friend, mentor and guiding light. It’s been one journey of highs and lows in sickness and in health literally.
But we made it.
We have rules for resilience. It’s been 26 years of the best personal development course we have ever taken.
Here is what it taught us about leadership:
1. Be strong
2. Be kind
3. Be committed
4. Listen
5. Talk
6. Give without expectation
7. Love who you are and what you do
8. Forgive, no matter how hard it is
9. Have patience
10. Pay attention
11. Pause, when agitated
12. Cherish the good
13. Challenge the bad
14. Be accountable
15. Have respect
16. Have fun
17. Be honest
18. Choose your battles
19. Stand up for each other
20. Give up your right to be right
I had the rules framed for him as our anniversary present.
As Bob Marley wrote, neither of us are perfect or ever will be. But if we can make each other laugh at least once, causes each other to think twice, and if we can admit to being human and making mistakes, we will hold onto each other.
For more on career coaching, executive presence and leadership consulting see my website www.paulineharley.com or follow me on LinkedIn for daily updates.
