What My Daughter Taught Me About Leadership

Yes, You Read That Right

Ever thought about where the most impactful leadership lessons come from? You might be surprised to hear that for me, it's been the adventure of parenting. Yep, you read that right.

While I've read my fair share of business books, it's those precious moments with my daughter that have truly shaped my approach to leading teams. And, believe it or not, there's quite a bit of science backing up the notion that parenting and leadership go hand in hand.

Patience Is a Virtue

First off, let's talk patience. Raising a child is the ultimate test of patience, isn’t it? Every parent knows that kids require time to grow, make mistakes, and find their way.

Interestingly, a study published in the Journal of Business and Psychology found that leaders who demonstrate patience and give their team members time to develop ideas are more likely to foster innovation and creativity. Kind of makes sense, right? Just like kids, adults thrive when they're given the space to explore and innovate.

The Magic of Clear Communication

Ever tried explaining something complex to a child? It's an art, really. Simplifying without dumbing down is a skill that's invaluable in the boardroom too.

Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish hit the nail on the head in their book when they said, “The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.” This principle is golden for leaders too. The clarity and encouragement we provide can become the inner voice of our team, driving them towards success.

Empathy: The Heart of Effective Leadership

Here's a fun fact for you: according to research from the Harvard Business Review, leaders who have experience in parenting are perceived as significantly more empathetic by their teams.

Empathy, that ability to understand and share the feelings of another, is something parenting puts to the test daily. It turns out, those middle-of-the-night fevers and toddler meltdowns were training me to be a better boss. Who knew?

Empowerment and Celebrating Milestones

Just like we cheer on our kids for taking their first steps or riding a bike without training wheels, in the corporate world, it's about celebrating those milestones, big or small.

Encouraging autonomy and acknowledging achievements makes for a motivated, loyal team. It's about creating an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

Adaptability

Adaptability – if parenting doesn't teach you this, nothing will. Kids change faster than app updates, and keeping up requires flexibility and a willingness to learn.

Similarly, a study in the Leadership Quarterly suggests that adaptable leaders, those ready to adjust their strategies to meet changing circumstances, are more effective at guiding their teams through uncertain times. It's all about staying on your toes, both at home and at work.

Care about your children. Just bless them instead of worrying, as every child is the little Buddha who helps his parents to grow up. Buddha

Conclusion

So, there you have it. Turns out, the sandbox is pretty good training for the boardroom ??

As I reflect on another year of my daughter's life, I'm not just thinking about how much she's grown, but how much she's helped me grow too.