I try to have a regular meal out with my mom. Today, we had one of those meals I call #mamadate. We ate at a nice restaurant and ordered a number of items from the menu that we thoroughly enjoyed eating. When she was already having her dessert, she quipped that the server must be laughing at her, the senior citizen who ate everything that the doctor would advise against. Then, she laughs as well.

Laugh at yourself. It is too often a forgotten art. And yet is probably one ability that all leaders in any industry, any organization, at any level should learn to master. Do not take yourself too seriously. The world does not revolve around ourselves, nor does it around our achievements. And more so, our mistakes.

We get too consumed with what we produce. With all the things we are to accomplish. And with what people think of us and will say about us. If we only knew how little they actually think of us, then, we probably will stop.

To learn to laugh at ourselves, at our mistakes even, is probably one of the best gifts any leader could give a team. We can always lead with passion, with tenacity, with competence. But to be able to lead with humor is one of life’s greatest art. And every leader should learn it.

My mother is seventy-seven years old. And despite our differences, she continually teaches me about life, by simply living hers.