The Day We Thought We Lost Our Son Forever: 7 Business Lessons on Father's Day After a Father's Close Call

The day we thought we'd lost our 2 year old as he was turning blue and not breathing, changed our lives forever. As my wife Jules and I lifted him, non-responsive from his cot, those agonising moments waiting for the ambulance felt like an eternity while we performed what we could remember from our first aid course. Thankfully after 10 days in Perth Children's Hospital, our story had a positive ending, but the incident changed my outlook on life and business forever. As I took the microphone on Father's Day at the 'Man With A Pram' event in Perth, Western Australia hosted by Belmont Dads' Group, the similarities between the lessons from that harrowing day and my professional journey became increasingly clear.

1. The Value of Time: In business, as in life, time is invaluable. We're often caught up in the day to day grind, but it's crucial moments like nearly losing a loved one that remind us to prioritise what truly matters, be it in our personal life or our business pursuits. Focus on the priorities.
2. Support Systems are Vital: In our darkest hour, support from our family, friends and community was a beacon of hope. Similarly, in business, having a strong network and a reliable team can make the difference between sinking and swimming.
3. Adaptability and Resilience: That terrible day taught me the importance of adaptability. Just as we had to navigate the emotional turmoil, businesses too must adapt to unexpected challenges. The key is resilience.
4. Preparedness: Neither life nor babies nor business leadership come with a manual. The unpredictability of personal events mirrors the uncertainty in business. Being prepared to quickly pivot, both emotionally and strategically, is paramount.
5. Prioritising Well-being: Just as my son's health became our top priority, businesses should ensure the well-being of their employees both physically and mentally. A cared-for team is a motivated and productive one.
6. The Power of Hope and Vision: Holding onto hope and the shared vision of my wife and I during that crisis was essential. In the business world, having a clear vision that the organisation can understand, even in the face of adversity, can drive an organisation forward.
7. Authentic Connections: Emotionally charged moments like these emphasise the importance of genuine connections. Whether it's with family or business stakeholders, authentic open relationships form the foundations of shared success.

Fatherhood in today's age, has certainly evolved since the 80’s and 90’s when I grew up in the UK, but the influence we have on our little ones? That remains massive. How we act now, what we say today, it's shaping them for life and influencing their future relationships with their children. We all have our tough days at work, leading a team or being a parent, but like my 9month old daughter learning to walk, it's about getting back up when we fall over and trying again.

My own journey with fatherhood taught me about life's unexpected twists and turns and taught me so much about myself. Taking time off out of the workforce for a year to be the primary carer at home helped me reassess what is important to me. I learned it's OK to feel overwhelmed. Just remember, every stumble is a lesson. We learn, we get back up, and with each day, we grow a little more.

Looking to the future, my hope is for a world where fathers can unashamedly be fathers in society and the workplace, I’m sure we all know some Dad’s who might be embarrassed to push a pram by themselves out in public or worry about taking time out of their career to look after their family. I hope for a future where it's celebrated for a dad to take a career break to be there for his kids, where men can openly share their feelings in the workplace without judgment, and where, maybe, our LinkedIn profiles might boldly display 'Dad' as our top skill.

In conclusion, life's challenges, either personal or professional, teach us invaluable lessons. Today, as we celebrate fathers day and all things parenthood, let's remember to carry forward these teachings, cherishing our roles and embracing every lesson that comes our way.

What has leading a team or being a parent taught you? I'd love to hear your view. Leave a comment and start a conversation.