Managing Emotions and Maintaining Influence During Challenging Times An Authentic Leadership Guide for Leaders (5 of 7)

5. Leading at Work Starts with Leading at Home: Strengthening Communication in Your Marriage

As a business leader or entrepreneur, you’re used to managing high-pressure situations and guiding your team to success, But when it comes to communication at home, even the best leaders can struggle.?

Miscommunication and disconnection with your spouse can cause frustration, leading to emotional spillover that impacts your influence - not just at home, but in your workplace as well.

If you have ever snapped at a team member after a tense morning at home or struggled to focus at dinner because of a stressful day at work, you know how interconnected these two worlds are. Managing your emotions and maintaining your influence in both contexts starts with building a strong foundation at home.

It's time to bridge the gap.

So why is this important to you as a leader?

Leadership is about influence, and influence begins with self-awareness and self-regulation. When your emotions aren’t in check, it shows - whether it’s in a tense boardroom discussion or a heated conversation with your spouse. Here is how losing control in one area is impacting the other:

• At Work:?Unresolved tension at home can leave you distracted, reactive and less patient with your team. This diminishes your ability to lead with empathy and connection.
• At Home: A tough day at work can lead to short tempers or withdrawal in your marriage, creating disconnection when connection is needed the most.

A strong, connected marriage not only brings peace to your personal life but also strengthens your leadership presence. When you and your spouse communicate well, you're equipped to navigate challenges with clarity and confidence.

Do you want to know how to build better communication at home?

Effective communication in marriage isn't about leadership jargon or workplace tactics. It's about creating a safe space for open dialogue, mutual respect, and emotional connection. Here's what that can look like:

• Regulate Your Emotions: Recognize when stress from work is impacting your tone or your reactions at home. Take a moment to reset
• Active Listening: Give your spouse the same focus you’d give a key stakeholder. Listen to understand, not to respond.
• Create a Safe Space: Commit conversations where both of you can express yourselves without fear of judgment or blame.
• Shift Your Perspective: See your spouse not as an obstacle during stress but as your greatest ally in overcoming it. Take time to share and allow for their different perspectives to provide you with additional insight and opportunities.

When both partners feel heard and valued, trust grows, and communication flourishes. Influence is all about trust, so the same is true of the workplace and building strong teams as it is at home. All people in your life, want to feel valued and heard.

Practical Steps to Start Today

You don’t need a weekend getaway to start improving communication (though that’s always a great idea!). Here are a few actionable steps you can implement immediately:

1. Pause and Reflect: While I mentioned this in an earlier article in this series, I don’t think it can be mentioned enough when it comes to regulating our emotions and creating a Proactive response to stressful situations. So before walking through your front door, take a deep breath. Mentally shift gears to be present for your spouse and family. You know you spend hours prepping for those meetings each day where decisions are made that will influence the future of your business, impacting the life of those who work there, isn’t it just as important to also prep for that most important meeting of your day, when you see your spouse and family as you come through the door. ??
2. Use a “15-minute Reset Rule”: If you have had a stressful interaction - at work or at home- spend 15 minutes walking, journaling or praying to reset your mindset before engaging.
3. Schedule a Weekly Check-In: Reserve 30 minutes to discuss what’s working, what’s not, and how you can support each other.
4. Learn Each Other’s Styles: Use tools like DISC assessments to understand how you and your spouse process information and express emotions differently.

How This Elevates Your Leadership

A thriving marriage doesn’t just make home life more enjoyable—it transforms your leadership. When you're connected with your spouse, you show up as your best self at work, with renewed focus, confidence, and empathy for your team.

Investing in your marriage is one of the most impactful ways to elevate both your personal and professional life.

I created a short email series on how to grow your connection with Active Listening, Understanding Perspectives and more. If you're ready to get started today, it’s free to join.

Or if you truly value your spouse and are ready to take your relationship to the next level, Our Leader Couples Communication Workshop is designed for leaders like you who want to strengthen their marriage and their leadership.?

DM me to secure your spot! Limited spots are available for the Nov 29th, Workshop, so don’t wait.