The spouses of our US presidential political candidates are becoming key players in the election. They often act as unofficial trusted advisor's to their spouse. Business leaders also may confer with their spouses before making key hiring decisions or executing a new strategy.
I often ask my wife who has a background in sales and marketing and event planning for advise on a number of work-related issues. I am frequently interviewed by the media as a workplace expert on difficult issues at work and I'm always curious to get my wife's opinion on the matter. For example: I was recently interviewed in The Wall Street Journal OnLine in a story "Losing Faith in a Mentor Over Personal Failings...When a mentor goes astray in his personal life, can you still trust him professionally?". I was really curious to get my wife's perspective on the matter.
I also do a lot of work in pre-employment selection and assessment incorporating psychometric tests and structured behavioral interviewing. I always find it interesting that when my wife and I interview someone to be our son's piano teacher or to work on our house etc. I rely heavily on my wife's assessment and intuition. Do you have a similar experience?
Over the years, I have asked a number of my executive coaching clients if they discuss their work with their spouse/partner. I have found it interesting that some executives find it very helpful and others keep a firm boundary between work and home life. The prevailing thought is they work so many hours and don't want to bring work home with them.
Do you share work matters with your significant other?
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