As a CEO for more than 30 years, and a father for exactly 30, I’ve come to understand and appreciate the many similarities between the two roles. I’ve found that the principles that help a person become a successful leader also help a person to become an effective parent. Whether it’s fathering to my two sons, Brandon and Jordan, or leading my more than 8,000-person BELFOR family, I have found that both fatherhood and leadership are about building strong relationships, instilling core values and developing trust.

This Father’s Day, I wanted to share some valuable lessons that any parent or leader can learn from:

• Manage your time wisely: No one gets more than 24 hours in a day – even CEOs! You must make the most of the time you have and do what’s important. If not used properly, time can really be the enemy! It might go without saying but avoiding procrastination and staying organized will help you get ahead of your tasks. It will also increase the likelihood that you’ll be able to make the most of the hours you have each day to make smart business decisions and work hard while also being able to attend important family events such as baseball games, dance recitals, or swimming lessons!

• Make routines: Sticking with a routine is a great way to reduce stress levels and prioritize what’s important to you even on the busiest days. One daily routine I uphold – no matter where I am in the world – is to ALWAYS make my bed. Making my bed is a value that my mother instilled in me at a young age. It continues to be a constant in my life and helps me start my day feeling productive. Additionally, no matter how busy I am running a 24/7 restoration company, I always make sure my family gets together for dinner every Sunday night. Instilling realistic routines, no matter how big or small, helps to hold me accountable for my time and motivates me to be present during those moments.

• Never stop trying to improve: No matter who you are, what your “title” is (there are no “titles” at BELFOR because we always help wherever, whenever we can – and we never say “no, that’s not in my job description!”) – because there is always room for improvement! A few years ago (at the age of 53!) I went back and earned my high school diploma. I hope this set a tone throughout BELFOR and the way our people think about themselves. It’s important to always be the best version of yourself and I want my sons and my BELFOR family to feel proud of what they do every single day. I want them to know I’m always here to provide support and help them in any way I can!

• Be authentic: In our family, we are as real as it gets. Since becoming a father, I’ve learned that being OPEN with our interests and opinions allows us to have unique conversations and RESPECT for one another’s differences. The best way to gain someone’s respect and approval is being authentic. This mindset has also carried into my leadership role as I try to focus on being genuine and honest with everyone – team members, clients, customers, business partners, friends, family, etc. – and hope that they will also be authentic with me in return. Not only do I have a clear conscience every night when I go to bed, but I also know that I have run our company in the most honest and authentic way possible and people respect me for it.