A Leadership Framework for Working Parents

Working parents are pulled in so many directions that it’s easy to feel like you’re failing at everything. But when we apply leadership principles and skills across all aspects of our lives – at work, at home, in our community, and to ourselves – our relationships flourish and our lives do, too. The key is to develop a leader’s mentality, say Stew Friedman and Alyssa Westring. Stew is an award-winning organizational psychologist at The Wharton School of Business and founding director of the Wharton Leadership Program and its Work/Life Integration Project. Alyssa is an associate professor of management at DePaul University and the director of research at Total Leadership. They join us to talk about their new book, Parents Who Lead: The Leadership Approach You Need to Parent with Purpose, Fuel Your Career, and Create a Richer Life. Stew and Alyssa discuss the importance of defining your values, deciding what you care about most, and setting your vision as a leader in your life. Listen to this episode to learn: •Why we should throw away “work-life balance” and replace it with “work-life integration” •What is a “four-way win,” and what actions can you and your partner take to achieve one? •How to quiet feelings of mom guilt by making decisions that align with your values •Why a leadership mindset and open dialogue allows you to level-set expectations, build trust, and strengthen relationships at work •How “self-care” (in body, mind, and spirit) makes us better at caring for others •How to cultivate positive relationships with caregivers, neighbors, family, and friends to “build your village” and enrich your life (and theirs!) •Using experimentation and measurement to find our own pathways to living a better, more purposeful life For more information: www.parentswholead.net