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Parenting Is Making You a Better Leader

by Peter Bregman

Quick Takes

  • The skills you use as a parent are the same skills that can make you a great leader. As a parent you’ve learned to:
  • Express care
  • Practice patience
  • Cultivate independence
  • Develop unique strengths
  • Set expectations and boundaries
  • Pivot and deal with the unexpected

A few days ago I was running in Central Park as fast as I could, pushing myself hard, trying to beat my previous best time.

About halfway around the park I passed a mother walking with her 2-year-old daughter. They were holding hands, and she was moving at the pace of her child, about one step every five seconds.

We were both enjoying ourselves, both in the moment, both focused on our task. But the contrast between ...

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