There’s a lot of pressure on the leader.

There’s the pressure of the clock. The pressure of the boss. The pressure of the stakeholders. The pressure of results.

There’s a lot of pressure on the leader.

Well, I’ve got bad news for all of you leaders. I’m going to add one more pressure.

The pressure of your employees’ health, kids, and sex lives.

Yep, that’s on you too.

“Hey, that’s not fair!” you protest. Maybe not, but it’s true nonetheless. Here’s why.

• People who are dissatisfied with their jobs are more likely to have a heart attack or other cardiac event. (And by “cardiac event,” I don’t mean a good cardiac event, like a party. Cardiac events, by definition, are almost never good.)
• If a parent has a bad day at work, their child is more likely to misbehave in school the next day. (If this happens on a regular basis, you can see that the impact on the child’s education and future is not good.)
• There is a direct relationship between job satisfaction and marital intimacy. (Because coming home every day complaining about work is generally not considered an aphrodisiac.) (Also, by “marital intimacy” I mean…well…you know what I mean, right?)

So what does this have to do with you? Surely you can’t be held responsible if Katie and her husband Don aren’t getting it on like they used to, and if their kid’s failing algebra, and if Katie’s officemate Brad is starting to feel a few pangs in his chest, right?

Wrong.

See, the one thing that all of these could have in common is job dissatisfaction. And the number one factor that determines whether or not an employee is satisfied in his or her job is…

You.

That’s right. You. The leader. The boss.

The number one factor that determines whether or not an employee is satisfied in their job is their relationship with their direct superior. Not the size of their paycheck. Not how much they like their co-workers. Not the quality (or lack thereof) of the snacks in the vending machine. It’s all about their direct superior.

It’s all about you.

So that’s a lot of pressure. But it’s also a lot of opportunity.

Think about it: if you, as the leader — the boss — are able to create a work environment where your team members feel challenged, happy, and engaged, you’re not just making a better, more productive workplace. You’re helping to make a better, more productive world.

You’re not just adding value to the company. You’re adding value to the community. You’re helping to build happier, healthier, smarter families.

By creating an engaging work environment, you’re generating ripples that have repercussions far beyond the workplace.

As a leader, in short, your impact and influence can travel beyond the office into the home, the community, the world, and the next generation.

Now that’s leadership.