Page 198 - Harnessing the Strengths

Appendix: Meet the Authors ■ 181

will, switch “on” and “off” a way of life. It is impor-
tant that you take the principles that you abide by at
work and use them at home.
Fons: I would even say, especially in your family!
Ed: Why?
Fons: Because your family is above everything. I was almost
in a plane crash once. We were fl ying in especially bad
weather, above the ocean, and suddenly a cloud of
smoke flooded the cabin. There was an announce-

ment that there was some sort of problem with the
electric circuit and, because of this, the lights had to
be turned off. We would also need to make an emer-
gency landing—only we couldn’t because we were
over the ocean. So the plane turned around, but the
fi rst chance we had to land was after more than an
hour of fl ying. That was a very long hour. And the
only thing I could think about during the whole time
was my family. Something like that makes your pri-
orities suddenly very clear.
Ed: You have three children. Could you also apply your
dilemma theory in rearing them?
Fons: The theory is from the very beginning suited for
child rearing because, especially in families, you have
opposing values and yet you have to stay with each
other and fi gure something out. Unlike with employ-
ees, when you have a confl ict with children, you can-
not send them on their way. Therefore, you have to
search for a solution. Servant-leadership is perfect for
that. And the best part of parenting is that it comes
so naturally. You do nothing other than serve your
children.
Ed: Can you elaborate?