Leadership and Parenthood: Could Your Kids Teach You About Management?
Managing a team can sometimes feel like raising a toddler without the bedtime stories and nappie changes. At CA Global, we’ve seen and placed our fair share of strong leaders, and perhaps by coincidence many of them happen to be parents too. This observation, or may I say, “trend” got us thinking: what can parenting really teach us about leadership?
Spoiler alert: a lot.
At CA Global Headhunters, we take the time to get to know our partners so that we can provide them with the best talent as possible, suitable culuturally and on a skill requirement level. In both roles, as a parent and a manager, you’re responsible for nurturing growth, setting boundaries, managing meltdowns (I mean deadlines) and, most importantly, creating a space where people feel safe to try, fail, and succeed.
Here’s what parenthood has taught some of our staff at CA Global as well as many of the executives we work with about being better leaders for your company’s success.
1. Patience is your superpower
If you’ve ever tried to convince a three-year-old to wear matching socks, you know patience on a spiritual level. The same principle applies to team dynamics. Not everyone works the same way or at the same pace and that’s okay. As a leader, patience is a sign of respect to your fellow employees which also encourages productivity. Listening patiently to their concerns and not rushing all of their tasks allows for a more peaceful work environment. Patience with your team can also be your getaway to a loyal team that feels encouraged and understood. Just like building a company takes time, building a successful team is also a challenge to once patience.
2. Celebrate the little wins
Parents know how huge it is when their child ties their shoes for the first time or finishes their veggies. At work, recognising the “small wins” like hitting a mini-milestone or handling a tough client call makes a huge impact on morale. The small wins are often more common than the big ones, so you have more opportunities to reward your team and acknowledge them for their hard work which will only boost morale and productivity which are key for the big wins to happen.
3. Accepting that every personality is different!
Some kids are loud and adventurous, others are quiet and observant. Teams are the same. A one-size-fits-all leadership style won’t cut it. Great leaders adapt to the individual personalities in their teams. This is where getting to know your team members personaly and professionally, being aware of their context, their quirks and more, is very important. You can achieve this only by spending time with your team members and having yearly teambuilding activities. The better you understand their strengths and motivations, the more empowered your team becomes.
4. Boundaries and Consistency Build Trust
Kids thrive on routine and clear expectations. Guess what? So do employees. Teams feel safer and more focused when they understand what’s expected and when leadership follows through consistently. Be fair, be clear, and be reliable. That’s where real trust begins. Do not let your personal challenges affect the way you treat your team as a leader with an unstable mood never gained the trust of their employees.
5. Accept that you’re not always going to be the hero
Parents know the joy of watching their kids solve problems on their own after a few stumbles. As a leader, it’s tempting to swoop in and fix everything. But growth comes when you let your team lead too. At the end of the day, we are all allowed to make mistakes in order to learn from them. This will also allow you to build mini leaders within your team instead of dependants or followers. By allowing your team members to figure it out on their own at appropriate times, you’re allowing them the freedom of independence and a stepping stone to take responsibility for their actions.
6. Emotions are part of the job
Anyone who’s negotiated with a sleep-deprived toddler knows emotions are real and messy. Teams have emotions too, even in the boardroom. A great leader doesn’t avoid emotional intelligence; they lean into it. It is important for a good leader to lead with empathy. You can not ignore that your team members are human too.
7. Leading by example
Telling your kids to put down their phones while you’re glued to yours? Doesn’t work. The same goes for the workplace. Teams take their cues from the top. If you lead with integrity, professionalism, curiosity and humility you will begin to see the same traits echoed within your team.
Why It Matters in Recruitment
At CA Global, we understand that leadership isn’t just about strategy and performance metrics, it’s about people. The most successful executives we place know how to bring both structure and empathy to their leadership style.
In fact, many of our clients and candidates are parents juggling C-suite responsibilities with school pickups and soccer games. We see firsthand how those experiences make them better at managing complexity, navigating uncertainty, and leading with purpose.
Being a parent isn’t a side hustle, it’s basically a leadership bootcamp. It teaches resilience, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and the art of finding humour in chaos. All of which are essential in today’s business world.
At CA Global, we’re here to support leaders who lead with heart, whether they’re raising a team of analysts or a pack of energetic toddlers (or both). If you’re ready to grow your leadership team with talent that understands what it truly means to lead, we’re ready to help. Contact us today.
