Leadership in the family environment is important for your children and spouse to feel secure, valued and have a sense of belonging. Read on to find out how a popular cartoon show inspired me in this context.
My 3-year-old has been home and I have to admit he’s watching TV more often than I would like.
One of his favourite shows is Paw Patrol – a cartoon where a team of pups led by a boy rescue the residents of Adventure Bay from all kinds of troubles.
After watching the first two seasons, this show has taken me for a surprise. It not only entertains my son but also offers me some valuable lessons on leadership!
I am particularly impressed by Ryder- the leader of team Paw Patrol. He’s probably 12, but he displays skills that I would love to adopt, in my family life.
Yes, I’m referring to leadership in the family environment.
Now before I got married, I used to associate leadership with managing a team in the work-scenario. It doesn’t matter what position you are at, in the organizational hierarchy. If you are a leader, you are expected to inspire and direct your team members to collectively take positive action, towards a common purpose.
Every person, however, needs a leader or a mentor. A leader, also needs a leader, at the organizational level and definitely at the family level, so we can all collectively work for the good of mankind.
When I was younger I often wished to have mentors who could tell me what my strengths and weaknesses were and guide me on my path of life. I was lucky to have a few, but my very first mentors or leaders were my parents, my brother, my cousins. They were the people I observed, followed and reached out for direction and feedback.
That’s why it is so important to emphasize leadership at home, at the family level. As a parent, as a spouse, as an elder sibling (it doesn’t matter who puts the leadership hat on), there are some questions that I should be truly contemplating:
- what am I teaching my child/ sibling?
- what values am I giving away in my actions?
- what is the environment I am offering, for him to grow and explore?
So coming back to Paw Patrol, Ryder taught me some important lessons that made me question my leadership skills as a parent and sometimes as a spouse.
Lessons from Paw Patrol on leadership in the family
Challenges are good
I love the slogan Ryder calls out before every rescue. “No job is too big, no pup is too small”. This statement is not only motivating but an indication to face even the hardest objectives with the conviction to succeed. In fact with a slogan like that, any task would seem like an adventure.
That’s something that I wish to inculcate in my family too. As a wife, as a parent, I would love to adopt this attitude of taking challenging situations as opportunities to learn, connect and rise.
It is important that I keep reminding myself and my family, that the more challenges we face in our individual or collective paths, the better we become at solving them and making life more meaningful.
Always communicate clearly and positively
Ryder always communicates the rescue situation in a simplified manner and gives clear directions to his team. Even in the trickiest of circumstances, I have never seen Ryder react negatively, even when the pups don’t perform to their potential. He always seems to have something positive to say about the situation or the person in question. “Do your best and forget the rest,” he says.
As a parent this makes me rethink on how I approach all the difficult events at home. A tantrum can put me off but will yelling help? As an effective parent leader, I must think about how I can positively deal with these situations, how I can clearly present choices to my son and help him understand responsibility and consequences.
Delegate well
Whenever there’s a “yelp for help” Ryder is quick to break down the problem at hand into small tasks for his team of pups. He is well aware of the skills of his own team, takes into account their own ideas of help and uses them to increase the probability of success.
At home, this is one of my biggest challenges. I avoid handing over the household tasks to my husband or son in the fear of losing time and in the belief that they may not do the “perfect” job. Like Ryder, I must learn to delegate some chores as per everybody’s capacity and interest to perform those tasks.
Own your mistakes
There are many instances where Ryder makes a wrong judgement call or goofs up during the rescues, yet his response to all of them is either laughing it out or calling for a revised plan of action.
I know for a fact that I cannot be always right. I make umpteen mistakes as a wife and as a parent but I hate admitting them because I tie my actions to my beliefs and values.
How can I openly accept the fact that I neglected my child when I have always thought myself to be a caring parent? Yet like Ryder, I must take responsibility for my mistakes, learn from them and set an example for the fact that there is no shame in admitting I’m wrong.
Equip your team
Ryder is so tech-savvy that he has the best equipment put together for his team. Every one of the pups has a specialized vehicle with some truly amazing features corresponding to their own strengths.
This makes me think how I much I need to equip my son for the future- not just with the trending technology and awareness, but with a nurturing environment that helps him grow and discover what is good, that focuses on his strengths, generates a sense of gratitude and equips him to protect his personal integrity.
Focus on serving
Ryder does all his rescues with the purpose of helping others. It is not just a job for him. As a leader, he practices authority with compassion and always goes the extra mile to help out his pups.
Such a beautiful reminder to serve my family with unconditional love, put their needs above mine and do the right things for them, when they need to be done.
Have you watched Paw Patrol? What are your thoughts on leadership in the family?
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Hi! My name is Rubitah. I’m a Content Writer certified Life Coach, Counselor, Social Work professional and the Founder of Being Rubitah. Over the years through my professional and personal life, I have realized that prayers and love can do wonders to family life once you come to terms with yourself and surrender to God. Do you relate to me? Then you may like what I post here! Read more about me
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