I’ve left behind the guilt we parents often feel when we miss events and the feeling of being torn between work and family. It’s part of life, and in our post-COVID world, we all deserve the gift of greater flexibility.
Yet I often wonder how the constant pursuit of balance between my roles as parent and CEO impacts my leadership style. My values of clarity, agility and accessibility, which VCCP shares, influence my approach in both areas.
But does being a parent make me a better leader or being a CEO make me a better mother?
In 2022, I took on the role of CEO at VCCP US, the global challenger network for challenger brands. We work with brands like White Claw, Audi, T-Mobile for Business, and Native, and I am constantly collaborating with internal and external partners to push these challengers to continually push the envelope in their respective fields. My role was unprecedented: I was the first North American CEO in the agency’s 20-year history.
I’ve been on a journey over the past two years that has shown me the unlikely parallels between home and office, the value of leading with these core principles in both spaces, and some important lessons learned along the way.
Be ignoble
Be willing to throw yourself into anything and everything. As a CEO and a dad, there is no “off” button. You are always on, and it’s just a matter of which area—home or office—needs your time at any given moment. To be more effective in both areas, you need to leave your ego at the door and do what it takes to keep things moving. At work, that means keeping in mind that no task is too small for me, and saying “yes” to things that are outside of my job description if they help a team member and serve the larger strategic goal. At home, that essentially means working as an Uber driver for my daughters.
Be flexible
Raising kids and running an agency are both team sports. When I’m in the office, VCCP is my team. We collaborate. We share. We challenge each other. We disagree. We build on ideas. When a team is highly functional, it feels good. Everyone can see how they’re part of the build, and that can be pretty magical. At home, my family is my team. My husband and I are the coaches. We tackle the big and small things together. From driving our daughters to school (hopefully on time) to strategizing coverage so everyone gets to all their activities. A spirit of collaboration keeps us going and helps us win, and that also means keeping an eye on precedent and learning when to step in and when to step out.
Be accessible
Finally, start sensing—and asking—when people need reassurance or a reality check. Sometimes kids don’t want a lesson, they just want to let off steam. The same goes for team members. Knowing when to keep your distance and when to offer advice has helped me become a better parent and team member. This distinction can help set boundaries for the conversation ahead—and allow you to better support the people who matter most to you.
FINALLY
Whether you’re carpooling or leading a meeting, you’ll be faced with decisions you don’t always feel fully equipped to make. But the key is to trust your gut and know that your values - whatever they may be – will serve as your guiding star.
You won’t always get it right, but when you don’t, you’ll learn from it so you can win next time.
