The mantra “family comes first” is something I have heard my whole life and it is a core value of mine. My mom and dad insisted that we get home for dinner time together as a family every night. We always did things together and encouraged other families to do the same. Family is really where your heart is, even if it’s not your blood family, the family is family.

In business, you need to run your business as a family and when someone is hurting in the family, you support them as you would support your own family members at home. Tell them family comes first and show them family comes first. Don’t be afraid to ask about your employees’ personal lives, their personal lives come to work with them every day.

Weddings are optional, funerals are not. Pregnancies grow families, respect that. Even the fathers need time with their newborn kid.

Make sure you make time for your family and your teams’ family when bad times come. Let them leave early for their kid’s game when they are coaching. Show them you care about what happens outside of the office walls. Show them you care about who they are, not just what they do for you.

It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s good business.

If something is wrong at one of your employees’ home, he/she will not perform to the best of their abilities but showing them some compassion will go a long way.

Family comes first. Always.