Whether you are just heading off on maternity leave or about to return to the office, it can be natural to worry about the impact that time away can have on your knowledge and skills.
Knowing that it’s a common worry, I reached out to my parent network to ask about the skills they learnt from being a parent that they now use at work.
I have to admit, they didn’t all give me a STAR based example but wow, they had some incredible things to share!
1. Multi-tasking
Not surprisingly, this one topped the list. Advanced multi-tasking is a skill that new parents pick up fast. Even though multi-tasking isn’t great for our productivity, most jobs require us to juggle different work activities and shift our attention from one task to another. A great employee is able to meet the needs of many different stakeholders without dropping the ball.
You won’t find a more demanding stakeholder than a new baby. My parent sources tell me that when multi-tasking at pro-level you can soothe a crying baby and hold an important phone conversation whilst picking up a toy with your toes!
2. Crisis management
Whether it’s a natural disaster or plummeting employee morale, crisis management is an important skill in the workplace. The ability to control your emotions, stay calm and think on your feet is hugely valuable.
There is nothing like parenting a toddler to keep you cool in a crisis.
Do you remember your toddlers first bumped head? It sent you into a fit of panic. Now, you can walk calmly into the scene of disaster, assess the situation and focus on finding a solution.
You can deal with anything – just take a deep breath…
3. Negotiation skills
Whether its the ability to come to an agreement between two or more parties or resolve a customer complaint, negotiation skills come in handy in the workplace. It’s so valuable that people go on intensive workshops to develop these skills.
If you’ve survived the toddler years, you will be pro-level at convincing a stubborn and unreasonable person to do what you need them to. You also know the best alternative if negotiations fall through.
4. Communication skills
Parenting increases your communication skills. You learn how to summarise things into a quick and clear message. You can happily talk someone through a schedule or plan of action. If in doubt you can drop into song “I have an idea….”
With your Stern Parent Voice you can even command attention in a busy space. You’ve got all of the communication skills you need to succeed at work.
The parent voice was a particular favourite with my sources suggest you should show caution when you use it! Shouting “BRUSH YOUR TEETH” might be tempting as a dentist, but it might also lead to complaints.
5. Time keeping and organisation
As a busy parent you know the value of time and how to squeeze the most out of it. You are also a whizz at knowing who needs to be where, wearing what at any given minute! Appointment scheduling, task lists and time saving hacks are your specialist subjects. You can even get a reluctant team co-operating and out of the door in record time.
Project and programme management skills come to you as naturally as breathing now. Juggling multiple schedules and anticipating roadblocks before they occur and prized project management skills. I bet you know a thing or two about saving money too!
6. Teaching / Training / Learning
You taught someone to walk, talk, sing songs and wash their hands (probably to the Happy Birthday song). You are a super trainer. You can break down complicated tasks into easy to manage steps. You even know how to explain things differently depending on your child’s learning preferences.
You’ve also got quite savvy about your own learning preferences now that you have homework to juggle too. BODMAS, BIDMAS, BUS STOP … (what!!)
The ability to teach people new skills is an important part of any leadership role. Even if you don’t fancy standing at the front of a classroom or facilitating training on a zoom call, your ability to teach, train and learn are what employers are looking for.
7. Sense of humour
My parent sources tell me that you need a great sense of humour to make it through your parenting journey. It’s an essential stress buster and let’s face it, in grim situations it really helps if you can find the funny side. (poooonami ...). Parenting is also great for teaching you not to take yourself too seriously!
The right amount of humour is great for morale, stress relief and for bringing your human side to work.
After reading the run-down of our Top 7 here at Inside Coaching I would love to hear what you would add to this list.
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