The Unexpected Leadership Training I Found at Home

This summer, I took a long break. My kids were home with me every single day since camp ended August 1st until today (YAY FOR SCHOOL!), and I put work on pause to be fully present with them.

And here’s what I learned: I’ve invested in countless self-development programs over the years—courses, masterminds, retreats, etc. But there is no greater self-development program than parenting. Nothing tests your patience, your resilience, your creativity, or your ability to adapt quite like being home with your kids every day.

For me, parenting has been the ultimate classroom. For someone else, it might be caring for a loved one, running a marathon, navigating a tough season with family, or even building a business from scratch. Life has a way of handing us experiences we didn’t necessarily sign up for, but those experiences end up shaping us in the deepest ways.

Unfortunately, many of us treat these seasons as something we just “get through,” instead of recognizing the growth they demand of us. The ability to stay calm in chaos. The practice of listening when you’d rather lecture. The humility of seeing yourself reflected back in ways—good and hard—that force you to evolve.

Those lessons don’t just make us better parents, caregivers, or professionals. They make us better leaders, creators, entrepreneurs, and humans.

So as I return to work today, I’m bringing all of that with me: the patience, the humility, the resilience, and the perspective that only a summer spent in the trenches of family life can teach.

Because the truth is, there’s no “back to work.” Life doesn’t split neatly into seasons of work and seasons of family. It’s all one integrated journey of growth. And if we’re paying attention, the best classroom is the one right in front of us!