Business Time

JD and I joke that, in the Stuart household, he’s the CEO (chief executive officer), I’m the COO (chief operating officer), and we split the role of CFO (chief finance officer). We make a lot of decisions around the house, but delineating our positions makes the Stuart chemistry flow. Being organized and prepared are my strong points, so I make a lot of the operational and budgetary suggestions. JD is my long-term, big-picture thinker, and his calm and intelligence is great for our dynamic. 

Many times, our communication breakdowns happen when the operations aspect of the “company” aren’t talking to the overall leader. Communication is key! So, just this week, we had a “Stuart family business meeting.” Over a power lunch on Wednesday, the COO turned to the CEO and said, “There are a lot of activities happening in December. Can we have a business meeting to discuss how to tackle the month efficiently and without stress?”

JD, of course, humors me after a chuckle and agrees to the “meeting.”

But, boy, does it work! A strategic, focused, non-Blackberry half-hour is much better than a month of miscommunication. Plus, the exchange helps to manage each other’s expectations of the holiday month. I highly encourage something similar, even if you are all three chief positions in your life! Especially during the holiday season, it is nice to set aside time to focus, look at your calendar, and pace out the month.