In the prime of my career as a COO of a leading Atlanta CPA firm, life handed me an unexpected leadership challenge: overseeing the well-being of my aging parents, who moved in with my family.
This transition brought with it lessons in leadership, management, and business acumen that went beyond the corporate walls.
Shifting to the CEO of my family, I learned the value of:
- Adaptability: Renovating our home for them taught me about flexibility and learning on the fly. These new responsibilities taught me about being agile, an essential trait for business growth. Each day, they brought unexpected challenges akin to navigating a dynamic business landscape.
- Connection: Sharing stories and solutions with my father brought home the value of collaboration and mentorship in any setting, personal or professional.
- Strategic Decision-Making: Making tough choices, like moving my mom to assisted living and eventually letting my father go, underscored the weight and responsibility of decision-making. It’s a solemn reminder that leaders must often make hard choices for the greater good.
- Empathy & Support: Their journey with me enriched my understanding of genuine care, helping me understand the importance of encouraging and supporting my colleagues and peers with deeper empathy.
- Resilience: Facing my fears and embracing the unknown, much like steering a company through uncertainty, solidified my belief in the power of resilience in leadership roles.
To my fellow business leaders, executives, and managers: Leadership isn’t confined to our offices. Leadership lessons are everywhere.
Whether strategizing in the boardroom or navigating personal hurdles, our roles demand adaptability, connection, and resilience. It’s in our choices, the sacrifices we bear, and the passions we share.
As we face challenges in the boardroom and at home, let’s remember to lead with our hearts, embrace our imperfections, and always strive to give our best backed by our experiences.