Parenting as a leadership learning ground?
Gender equality in the workplace is increasing but it still has some way to go & is increasingly understood as important for the bottom-line (as well as individuals and society, of course).
However, the "motherhood" penalty still needs to be thought about & addressed - the article below shares some great information and insights for managers, organisations and parents (and policy-makers).
The article includes mentioning a perception-reality gap surprise that total lifetime earnings can be 2 to 3 % higher for women who became mothers compared to women who didn't & hypothesises "that it could be because mothers developed certain efficiency skills while raising young kids."
I believe it's more than "efficiency" - it's leadership and #emotionalintelligence.
This comes up repeatedly in my leadership coaching work (& with parents returning to work): parenting & managing a household develop crucial leadership skills - including prioritisation, teaching, coaching, patience, making things happen, juggling priorities, team dynamics, understanding human motivation and demotivation, feedback, resilience & lots more.
Whenever I mention that "leadership and parenting have lots in common" people connect immediately with that. After all:
- we don't "own" our offspring/employees;
- they will leave - perhaps sooner than ideal perhaps later, they may come back too;
- siblings & teams have dynamics we cannot control but we must watch out for & can influence through our behaviours as parents/leaders;
- if two co-managers/parents don't work deliberately at aligning expectations and practices, then conflict/confusion will arise in direct reports/kids;
- you can tell offspring/employees all you like - but telling is not selling, you need to get buy in;
- using a good mix of direction, consulting, coaching, co-piloting and delegation is really effective;
- siblings/teammates and you are not the same, so don't treat them as if they are, adapt (apply the Platinum not the Golden Rule)
...& so on.
Fundamentally, the skills of building clarity of vision + freedom-in-the-frame AND relationships of trust, listening & #psychologicalsafety are the cornerstones of great #leadership & #parenting!
Developing non-directive coaching skills (rapport-building, catalysing insights, understanding & clarity through asking, listening, reflecting back and enabling creativity, planning & commitment) are crucial for parenting & leadership alike. Clients of mine often share that the impact at work AND at home have been similarly powerful!
Organisations & individuals could value the #transferableskills more. Feelings & needs exist in us all (big & small humans), understanding & connecting with them enables engagement, clarity, creativity, confidence, courage & commitment - which leader/parent wouldn't want to be able to catalyse those things more effectively?
https://lnkd.in/dTRfBY_2
I appreciate how you've highlighted additional policies that could support people having children, like providing enough paid leave and childcare access. A lot to consider in here. Thanks for this thoughtful deep dive, Rachel!