The Leadership Lessons I've Learned From My Kids

While families are working and learning from home, business leaders can take a cue from their kids to help navigate the new normal.

This Mother's Day looks a lot different than in years past. Over the past few months, I (like many others) have been working from home with my two kids, as well as two boarders from their school who came to stay with us after their dorms closed. I'm a single mom and CEO, so with four kids learning from home, our house is constantly abuzz with activity. 

As we spend our days together, our roles in each other's lives are evolving. We're each other's co-workers, classmates, cheerleaders. We've become a mini team, not unlike teams at work or in a classroom.

In honor of Mother's Day, I want to reflect on what we've learned from each other during this time, and lessons business leaders can apply to navigating this new normal.

For the full list, check out the article on Inc: https://www.inc.com/rana-el-kaliouby/the-leadership-lessons-ive-learned-from-my-kids.html

Flexibility Is the Rule, Not the Exception

As any entrepreneur will agree, your company is like your baby. You've worked so hard to bring an idea to life, and sometimes things will be going well until suddenly, things don't go according to plan. Right now feels like that, and honestly, at times that's been hard to accept.

When I asked my 16-year-old daughter Jana about this, she explained we've all had to adapt. Learning from home, working from home-- it's all new. So we have to acknowledge each other's needs, especially as they shift, and be willing to adapt. As we do, it gets easier.

It seems so simple, but as a laser-focused entrepreneur, it's something you might easily forget. Being flexible in your approach, and even your goals, is not only key to getting through this time, it also opens the door for innovation that may not have happened otherwise. 

"Sometimes things will be going well until suddenly, things don't go according to plan. Right now feels like that, and honestly, at times that's been hard to accept."

You're the Driver of Your Own Progress

One of our family's core values is lifelong learning. But, if you're like me, recently you've probably found it difficult at times to focus on work. I again asked Jana how she was holding herself accountable without the structure of the typical school day. She reminded me that it's all about passion and structuring her day around the things she's really interested in to keep herself driven and motivated.

Once you adopt that mindset, it can be powerful. Remembering what drives you can make all the difference. And, I've always believed that as a leader, if you can empower yourself, you can empower others. It's so cool to see that come to life with my kids, too. 

Plus, lifelong learning can come in different forms-- not just sitting on Zoom calls. While we're home, my kids are learning things that they wouldn't in a classroom. For example, I recently released my memoir, Girl Decoded, and the kids have helped me do my virtual book tour from home. My daughter moderated several of my livestreams and my son is our tech support. We're trying new things together in spite of this challenging circumstance. Even from home, you can still find ways to grow. 

Even from home, you can still find ways to grow

For the full list, check out the article on Inc: https://www.inc.com/rana-el-kaliouby/the-leadership-lessons-ive-learned-from-my-kids.html