No one warns you that parenting might make you better at your job.
They warn you about the sleep deprivation. The messes. The emotional breakdowns over the wrong snack or the wrong color cup. What they don’t mention is that somewhere between morning chaos and bedtime routines, you quietly start learning some of the most important leadership lessons of your life.
I didn’t learn these things from a textbook or a leadership seminar. I learned them by being a parent—and they show up every day in how I work with patients, clinicians, students, and teams.
Here are a few that stuck.
1. Authority Only Works for So Long—Communication Works Longer
In parenting, “because I said so” might work… briefly. Eventually, kids want to understand why.
The same is true in leadership and healthcare.
People respond better when they understand the reasoning behind decisions, plans of care, or expectations. Taking the extra moment to explain, listen, and invite questions builds trust—whether you’re talking to a child, a patient, or a team member.
Turns out, being heard is pretty motivating.
2. Consistency Creates Safety (Even When You’re Tired)
Kids thrive on routines and clear expectations. Not because life is predictable—but because it helps them feel safe when it isn’t.
The same thing happens at work.
Consistent leadership, clear communication, and follow-through create stability. When people know what to expect, they can focus on growth instead of guessing. In healthcare especially, that sense of safety matters—for patients and providers alike.
Consistency isn’t flashy, but it’s powerful.
3. You Can’t Control Everything—and You Should Stop Trying
Parenting will humble you quickly. You can do everything “right” and still have a tough day.
Leadership is no different.
You can’t control outcomes, emotions, or every variable. What you can do is:
- Support people
- Provide guidance
- Create an environment where learning and growth are allowed
Letting go of micromanagement doesn’t mean lowering standards—it means trusting people to rise to them.
4. Empathy Isn’t Soft—It’s Effective
Kids have big feelings. Sometimes those feelings don’t make sense. They’re still real.
So are the emotions people bring to work and to healthcare—fear, stress, frustration, burnout, uncertainty. Acknowledging those feelings doesn’t weaken leadership; it strengthens relationships.
Empathy builds connection. Connection builds trust. And trust makes everything work better—from teamwork to patient outcomes.
The Big Takeaway
Parenting didn’t make me a perfect leader. (Ask anyone who knows me.)
But it did make me more patient. A better listener. Less reactive. More aware that everyone—kids, patients, students, coworkers—is doing the best they can with what they have that day.
At the end of the day, leadership isn’t about titles or having all the answers. It’s about showing up with consistency, clarity, and care.
Funny enough, parenting taught me that first.
