By Greg Wasz
Leading with Heart: Why Family Comes First
If you had asked me twenty years ago what defined a strong business leader, I probably would have rattled off a list of qualities like strategic thinking, confidence, decisiveness, and drive. Those things still matter, no question—but over the years, something more important has taken root in my life and changed how I define leadership: family.
I’m a husband and father of three, and no title, no job, and no deal will ever hold more weight for me than those roles. What I’ve come to realize, though, is that putting my family first hasn’t just made me a better dad or husband—it’s made me a better leader in business. Being present at home, building meaningful traditions, and developing deeper relationships with my family have directly influenced how I lead, connect with clients, and grow teams.
Emotional Intelligence Starts at Home
When you’re raising kids, especially in today’s fast-moving world, emotional intelligence becomes second nature. You learn how to listen closely—even when you’re exhausted—how to manage emotions (yours and theirs), and how to communicate with patience and empathy. Those same skills translate seamlessly into the business world.
Sales is not just about numbers. It’s about people. It’s about understanding someone else’s needs, emotions, and decision-making process. Being a family-centered person has trained me to read people better, to lead with empathy, and to respond with understanding instead of reaction. I’ve found that clients, colleagues, and even competitors are more responsive to someone who truly listens and engages with intention.
Modeling Values Creates a Culture of Trust
My wife Jenna and I talk often about what we want our kids to learn from us—not just through our words, but through our actions. Consistency, honesty, gratitude, and resilience are pillars we try to model every day. When those values are prioritized at home, it becomes natural to carry them into the workplace.
In my leadership role in sales, I’ve seen how bringing family values into professional spaces changes the tone of meetings, shifts the energy of teams, and builds a culture of trust. People don’t want to work for someone who only talks about quarterly goals. They want to work for someone they believe in, someone whose actions reflect integrity, compassion, and care for others. When you lead like a parent—patient, firm, thoughtful—you create an environment where people feel safe to do their best work.
Boundaries Make You Better
Early in my career, I chased every opportunity, worked long hours, and tried to be constantly available. But as my family grew, I had to make a decision: either continue at that unsustainable pace or build boundaries that protected my time with the people who matter most.
Surprisingly, setting firm boundaries didn’t weaken my career—it strengthened it. By being intentional with my time, I’ve become more focused, productive, and effective during work hours. I’ve learned to prioritize better, delegate smarter, and communicate clearly. Most importantly, I’ve earned respect from others for standing firm in my values.
The irony is, when you honor your boundaries, you model leadership that others want to emulate. People appreciate authenticity. They see that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of family or well-being. You don’t burn out, and neither does your team.
Relationship-Building Is the Real Business Strategy
In sales, the core of success lies in building lasting relationships. And nothing teaches you how to build and nurture relationships better than being an engaged family man. Whether it’s navigating your teenager’s ups and downs or celebrating small victories with your spouse, family life teaches patience, perspective, and presence.
These traits make all the difference when working with clients. I don’t approach relationships transactionally—I approach them personally. I ask how people are really doing, I remember their kids’ names, and I follow up because I care, not just because of a quota. That’s the kind of connection that builds loyalty. And that kind of loyalty builds careers.
A Legacy Beyond the Office
At the end of the day, leadership isn’t just about the titles you hold or the goals you hit—it’s about the impact you leave behind. I think often about the kind of legacy I want to leave, both for my family and for those I work with. If my kids grow up seeing that their dad showed up for them, put relationships first, and led with heart, then I’ve succeeded in the most important leadership role of all.
And if, along the way, those same values help me build successful teams, loyal partnerships, and a reputation for being a person others can count on—well, that’s just the bonus.
Final Thoughts
Being a family-centered leader isn’t about choosing between business and home—it’s about integrating the best of both worlds. The patience, empathy, resilience, and love I’ve learned from being a husband and father have shaped the way I lead in business. In turn, the structure, communication, and commitment I bring to my career have helped me show up better at home.
Leadership isn’t something you turn on at 9 and off at 5. It’s a lifestyle. And when it’s rooted in meaningful relationships—starting with your own family—it becomes a force that drives success, both personally and professionally.
So to all the professionals out there wondering if they’re doing enough, I say this: show up for your family first. The rest will follow.