There is a deep scene in the movie Gladiator where Marcus Aurelius and Maximus talk about Rome and home, and how they will be remembered. “There was once a dream that was Rome. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish it was so fragile. And I fear that it will not survive the winter.” One of the brilliant aspects of this scene is the connection between their conversation about home, their sons, and the future state of the empire. We are often tempted (and even directed) to disconnect family and state but it is unwise.
There is a corresponding connection between commercial or non-profit organizations and families. People in these organizations are part of families. The people contribute to the organization, and the organization is providing some benefit or influence on the family through the employee/member. Organizations are not families, but the best organizations support families.
Any leader in an organization should be mindful that no one can perfectly compartmentalize their work and family. Remember the iceberg metaphor. What you see is a small fraction of what is invisible below the waterline.
