Lessons in leadership are just as applicable to running a business as they are to raising a family. That’s why you should let your children play on fresh asphalt.  That’s why you should bury sarcasm, yelling and bad attitudes.  And that is why you should make it a priority this weekend to have fun with your kids on St. Patrick’s Day.

You may think this post is off topic, but it is directly on point.  You see, if the goal of parenting is to reach your children’s heart, then you will not reach it by force, loud words, or through submission. You will reach it through a giggle or a smile. Businesses are the same way. In his book 1001 Ways to Energize Employees (affiliate link), Bob Nelson says that the “power of positive reinforcement” is common sense, but “not common practice in most organizations.” You need to find ways to connect with your group in a fun way, and the rewards will follow.

And now, here are a few ideas that you can do this weekend to have fun with your kids:

My four-year-old Jackson came running into our bedroom, yelling, "A leprechaun went pee in every toilet in the house!"  He could not stop giggling.   My two-year-old Mia was smiling ear year with a handful of jelly beans that no doubt the same leprechaun left for the kids on the stairs.

 

My six-year-old Faith and eight-year-old Addy couldn’t stop laughing at the Lucky Charms that mysteriously appeared in their normal Frosted Mini Wheats cereal box.  (…Man, that little green guy must have been busy last night…)

The other kids were happy with green fruit kabobs and rainbox cupcakes!  Cupcakes for breakfast? Yes, it’s okay to let kids be kids every now and then!

And finally, looks like the leprechaun left a snack for later in the day … a bag of clouds, rainbows, and pots of gold (… marshmellows, jelly beans, and peanut butter cups…).

I hope you treat your employees and co-workers to a little fun today and your kids with a lot of fun this weekend.  Happy St. Patrick’s Day.