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What makes a child grow to be a leader? For a child to become a leader, Covey sees the need for parental support, modeling from parents and teachers, a supportive learning environment, effective learning tools, integration with activities in school, a regular follow-through, and a progress report system.
Strengthening Families in Times of Crisis
From Stephen Covey Community
I was in Dallas on Monday, May 4 to make a presentation on strengthening families in times of crisis. Gathered in the room were people who have recently lost their jobs and find themselves looking for new work in a very tough environment. This gathering, of course, was a snapshot of millions of people all over the U.S. and in many parts of the world due to the economic crisis that has gripped us.
Being out of work and looking for work can have a troubling impact on families. The mounting stress, pressure and worries often impact a person’s ability to be the kind of spouse or parent they would like to be. Communication might break down. Fighting or quarrels might increase in your relationships. And family members might feel neglected, scared or withdrawn.
In such situations, I counsel people to remember who are the most important people in their lives and what matters most to them Yes, being out of a job might have you in a crisis, but your family is your most precious possession. So what can you do to strengthen your family in times of trouble?
There are three things that I encourage everyone to do with their families in good times or bad:
1. Write a family mission statement—identify what kind of family you want to be. For instance, what qualities define your family, what kinds of feeling do you want in your home, how do you want to build relationships? Get everyone involved in these questions and write something that describes your family and how you want to be.
2. Hold weekly family meetings—gather your family once a week to talk about issues, problems or good things in your family. Refer to your mission statement to see how you are doing. Enjoy this time together; do something fun.
3. Remember the emotional bank account—similar to a bank account, you can make deposits or withdrawals from each of your family relationships. Make a conscious effort to make meaningful deposits in your relationships. When you make a withdrawal, apologize and correct the mistake.
As you do these things, you will find your relationships strengthened in your family. You will take control of your life and your family’s life rather than being tossed away by the storms of problems or crises that come your way. With a strong family, you will be more effective in your job search and your family will be your greatest source of strength and support.
For more ideas on strengthening families you may interested in reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families or other good books on the subject.
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I was in Dallas on Monday, May 4 to make a presentation on strengthening families in times of crisis. Gathered in the room were people who have recently lost their jobs and find themselves looking for new work in a very tough environment. This gathering, of course, was a snapshot of millions of people all over the U.S. and in many parts of the world due to the economic crisis that has gripped us.
Being out of work and looking for work can have a troubling impact on families. The mounting stress, pressure and worries often impact a person’s ability to be the kind of spouse or parent they would like to be. Communication might break down. Fighting or quarrels might increase in your relationships. And family members might feel neglected, scared or withdrawn.
In such situations, I counsel people to remember who are the most important people in their lives and what matters most to them Yes, being out of a job might have you in a crisis, but your family is your most precious possession. So what can you do to strengthen your family in times of trouble?
There are three things that I encourage everyone to do with their families in good times or bad:
1. Write a family mission statement—identify what kind of family you want to be. For instance, what qualities define your family, what kinds of feeling do you want in your home, how do you want to build relationships? Get everyone involved in these questions and write something that describes your family and how you want to be.
2. Hold weekly family meetings—gather your family once a week to talk about issues, problems or good things in your family. Refer to your mission statement to see how you are doing. Enjoy this time together; do something fun.
3. Remember the emotional bank account—similar to a bank account, you can make deposits or withdrawals from each of your family relationships. Make a conscious effort to make meaningful deposits in your relationships. When you make a withdrawal, apologize and correct the mistake.
As you do these things, you will find your relationships strengthened in your family. You will take control of your life and your family’s life rather than being tossed away by the storms of problems or crises that come your way. With a strong family, you will be more effective in your job search and your family will be your greatest source of strength and support.
For more ideas on strengthening families you may interested in reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families or other good books on the subject.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families Workshop
It’s no secret that families today are facing greater challenges everyday. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families Workshop offers a much needed framework for applying the universal, self-evident principles that enable family members to communicate their challenges and overcome them successfully.
Dr. Stephen Covey has noted that strong families don’t just happen; they require the combined energy, talent, desire, vision and dedication of all their members. Through the processes, skills and tools outlines by the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families Workshop, family members will begin to gain much confidence in their knowledge and ability to strengthen their own families.
The Workshop
Based on the best-seller, 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, the workshop focuses on specific family challenges and how they may be overcome effectively.
Benefits to individuals and families include learning how to:
- Apply the inside out approach to problem solving
- Resolve differences in marriage and family relationships by cooperating creatively
- Establish a better work/life balance
- Build and rebuild relationships of trust and love at home and with extended families
- Create family tradition, unity and a “nurturing family culture”
- Employ the skill of emphatic listening and synergy
- Individually commit to becoming a nurturing “transition person” at home
- Learn to discipline and motivate children effectively.
- Create a mission statement together with members of the family to define what matters most to them and how their goals can keep them together.
This overview gives the goals of the workshop and opens families to the attitude or openness needed in the workshop, with the objective of unveiling the power of principles and the 7 habits that will strengthen the family. Aside from the 7 Habits, the workshop includes several topics that will help families realize, commit and be motivated to live the 7 Habits:
- Take the Plunge. Realize your need as a family and the readiness to strengthening the family.
- Get in the Habit. Habits explained as universal principles that strengthen families.
- Keep Hope alive. Have a plan as a family, keep to the plan and never giving up on each other.
- Control your own family’s future. A family’s commitment to the Inside-Out approach.
Habits 1, 2, and 3 deal with self-mastery called the "Private Victory®."
Habits 4, 5, and 6 deal with relationships and teamwork, or the "Public Victory®."
The last habit, Habit 7, is the habit of renewal. It feeds all of the other six habits.
The training provides families with a step-by-step framework for building relationships, facing family challenges, achieving goals, improving communication and much more. The habits build upon each other and foster behavioral change and improvement from the inside out.
Habit 1: Be Proactive®
Take responsibility for your family.
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind®
Define your family mission and goals in life.
Habit 3: Put First Things First®
Prioritizing the family and doing the most important things first.
Habit 4: Think Win-Win®
Have an "everyone-can-win" attitude.
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood®
Listen to each other sincerely.
Habit 6: Synergize®
Work together as a family to achieve more.
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw®
Renew yourselves regularly.
Modules:
1. Balancing Work and Family. This module helps families to put first things first and proactively prioritize their lives and family. It is living by “inside” priorities and not by “outside” pressures. Learn about the “big rocks” that matter most. The workshop teaches families to form family traditions and create a family vision statement.
2. The 4 Roles of a Proactive Family (Empowering Parents to influence their children). Talks about the four roles of leadership that parents need in order to influence and form a character for life. Empowers parents to inspire their children.
3. Building Family Relationships. Teaching families tools for building or rebuilding relationships among themselves and even extended families.
4. A mission statement for a family. This culminating session empowers families with enough confidence to be able to go home and start the process on their own by helping families see the wisdom in creating a blueprint or plan for their families.
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