Career and Kids

5 Ways Management and Parenting Really the Same Thing

by elizabeth on February 26th, 2007

Since both parenting and management are all about the art of getting things done, one good thing about being a working parent is that you really don’t have to learn two entire sets of management skills, since sometimes, it’s really all the same:

1. Time Management - keep everyone on task

Work: “I’d love to discuss this all day, but, let’s put that idea in the ‘parking lot’, so we can get to the rest of our agenda”

Home: “I’d love to play that game all day, but, let’s put that in the toy box, so we can go eat lunch.”

2. Delegation - getting the work done by someone else

Work: “You’ve shown me that you’re ready to start producing the TPS Report.”

Home: “You’ve shown me that you’re old enough to start doing laundry”.

3. Presentation Skills - bringing people together to plan

Work: First, you have to get their attention.

Home: First, you have to get their attention.

4. Oral Communication - efficient and effective so there are no misunderstandings

Work: “Again, I want to make sure everyone understands that…”

Home: “How many times do I have to tell you…?”

5. Budget Skills

Work: “I’m not giving you money for that.”

Home: “I’m not giving you money for that.”

So, you see, there are efficiencies to be realized in managing both career and kids, if you just know where to look.

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POSTED IN: Career and Kids, Communication