The holidays are always special when shared with family. Although it is sad to see everyone return home, nothing compares to being together.

Even though many families are characterized as dysfunctional, there is still much we can learn from the family unit to help our spiritual leadership.

Families must be skilled in problem resolution. No family is free from problems: financial, personality, health, communication, rivalries, etc. How problems are resolved determines the success of the family.

The same is true in leadership. Problem resolution must be a priority in leadership development, because there will be problems.

Families must learn to cooperate. The idea of parents and children sharing one bathroom, rationing the food supply, and taking care of household chores, demands working together. Dysfunctionalism results when people are unwilling to work together.

The leadership connection is powerful. The ability to lead in such a way to get along and work side by side, cooperating for the common goal, is indeed rare.

Families also need a common purpose. There will always be different personalities, opinions, objections, conflicts, and the list goes on. However, when families understand and strive for a common purpose, they can resolve problems and work together for the greater good of the family.

Leaders should be diligent in directing others toward a common goal. We need to promote the purpose and provide the leadership necessary to reach it. Why? Because, spiritually speaking, we are family.