If you have teenagers or college students in your home, you’ve probably faced the inevitable stimulus money debate.

No teenagers? Let me fill you in…

Joe Biden has been sending $1,400 to literally everyone (Yeah, like you haven’t been checking your account for that money too). And now, college kids and teenagers everywhere are demanding their fair share from their parents.

A simple task? Not exactly. Just ask my wife.

Yesterday, my leadership skills were put to the test as I had to negotiate with my three boys and broker a deal on behalf of our family. But in that brutal negotiation, I walked away with an invaluable leadership lesson—one that applies not just at home but in business, organizations, and life itself.

The most important role of a leader isn’t just about tackling challenges, hitting numbers, or making sure people behave a certain way. It’s about providing emotional support for those you lead.

Whether you’re a parent, an entrepreneur, or leading a team, your ability to connect with people on an emotional level determines whether they will follow you. Leaders who fail to show empathy or control their own emotions will slowly lose the confidence of those they’re meant to guide.

You can’t inspire action if people don’t believe you care. You can’t earn trust if they feel unheard.

Think about it:

• How many opportunities are lost because the only time you talk to your kids is to correct or instruct them?

• How many businesses fail to reach their full potential because leaders only engage with employees when it’s time to get work done?

• How many churches, groups, and organizations underperform, not because of a lack of resources, but because leaders fail to connect with their people?

• How many relationships suffer because we only call our friends or spouse when we need something?

Leadership—whether at home, in business, or in any role—starts with connection. When people feel valued and supported, everything else falls into place.

So, how did my negotiation with the boys go?

Since I regularly take time to hear them out and support them, we settled on $300—with a specific spending plan (on things we were already planning to buy them next month, lol).

Not bad, right?

Loojimps @LevelX