Good Enough: The Leadership Superpower Parents Bring to Work
Jennifer Petriglieri’s quote from Couples That Work is such a helpful thought for me and my clients I work with:
“When people aim for good enough, as opposed to perfection, they are on average more satisfied with their lives, happier in their careers, optimistic about the future, and content with the choices they make.”
It’s a radical thought in a world that often worships at the altar of perfectionism, especially if you are a Gen-x or a older Millennial like me, you will likely have grown up with a parenting style that drove perfectionism. Whether that’s the spotless house, the flawless presentation at work, or the seamless parenting experience.
But as a leadership coach and a parent of three, I see “good enough” not as settling but as a powerful shift, a secret superpower that parents often develop through the messy, unpredictable reality of raising children. And it’s a superpower that translates beautifully into leadership.
Perfectionism vs. Good Enough in Parenting:
Anyone who has been a parent knows that striving for perfection is a recipe for burnout. From the moment your child is born, you are faced with decisions: breastfeeding or formula, sleep training or co-sleeping, screen time or no screen time, dummy or no dummy, nursery or childminder, and every choice can feel like it’s loaded with expectations ( and judgment, obviously).
None of us get it perfect. Literally none of us! We lose our temper, we forget about the bring a cuddly toy to school days, we feel guilty for missing a bedtime story or for loing our sh** during the said story. And yet, when we embrace “good enough,” we discover that what truly matters isn’t ticking every box or making every perfect choice. It’s the consistent presence, the love, the showing up, messy and real, imperfect that builds connection and trust.
This shift from perfectionism to “good enough” can be liberating. It’s the difference between being perpetually exhausted by chasing an unattainable ideal and being present and engaged in the moment, both with our children and ourselves.
The Leadership Lesson:
What fascinates me is how this same “good enough” mindset can transform our approach to leadership.
Perfectionism in leadership often shows up as micromanagement, overpreparation, or the inability to delegate. I have seen this first hand with way too many clients I have worked with both in HR and in Coaching.
Leaders who cling to the illusion of perfection can inadvertently create a culture of fear and self-doubt, where teams feel like nothing they do will ever be enough. You all know that team, you have been on that team, perhaps you still are. Perhaps you are the leader of that team… Keep on reading.
Parents who’ve learned the value of “good enough” at home often bring a different energy to work. They know that:
Progress is better than perfection. My gold standard saying I learned from a Change Management colleague years ago. Bloody love it still!
People learn and grow through trying, failing, and trying again.
Holding space for imperfection, both their own and others’, actually fosters psychological safety and innovation.
In my coaching work with parents in leadership roles, I see time and again how the experience of parenting reshapes their leadership style. They become more empathetic, more willing to delegate, more understanding of the inevitable bumps in the road. They become better at prioritising, focusing on what really matters rather than chasing every shiny object. They also become less self-centred and more other-centred.
Good Enough as a Superpower:
When parents in leadership bring their “good enough” mindset to work, they model resilience and authenticity. They give their teams permission to bring their full, imperfect selves to work too. They show that it’s possible to lead with both competence and compassion.
This isn’t about lowering standards or accepting mediocrity. It’s quite the opposite! It’s about recognising that real leadership is about empowering others, not about controlling every outcome. It’s about creating an environment where people can thrive, even if things aren’t always perfect.
My invitation to Leaders (and Parents):
If you find yourself stuck in perfectionism—at home or at work—ask yourself:
· What would it look like if “good enough” was actually the gold standard?
· How might it free you, and those around you, to show up more fully and authentically?
· How might it help you focus on what truly matters, both in your family and in your leadership role?
Jennifer Petriglieri’s insight reminds us that satisfaction and optimism are not born from perfection but from acceptance, presence, and purpose. Parenting teaches us that good enough really is good enough, and that’s a lesson worth carrying into our roles as leaders.
So let’s embrace the power of good enough. Let’s redefine success in both parenting and leadership as the ability to show up, messy, human, and real, and to create the kind of environments where others can do the same.
Because in the end, that’s what true leadership looks like: not perfection, but connection.