The Power of a Growth Mindset in Parenthood and Leadership

Ever felt like the pressures of work and family life are pulling you in different directions? Being a working parent in a leadership role comes with a unique set of challenges, high expectations, constant decision-making, and the ever-present juggle between career and family. But what if, instead of seeing these challenges as stressors, we saw them as opportunities for growth, both as leaders and as partners?

Jennifer Petriglieri, in Couples That Work: How to Thrive in Love and at Work, shares a powerful insight: “Couples with a growth mindset are more resilient in tough times, and rather than weakening their relationship, difficulties can actually strengthen it.”

This mindset isn’t just about getting through the tough times; it’s about embracing them as moments to deepen your connection. Here’s how you can cultivate a growth mindset in your relationship, especially as a busy working mum or dad navigating both leadership and parenthood:

1. Abandon the Fairy Tale of ‘The One’

Long-lasting relationships aren’t built on finding the perfect person, they’re built on choosing each other, again and again, through every season of life. Just like leadership, where growth comes from investing in your team, marriage and parenting require continuous effort and commitment. This is also true in working parent coaching - sustainable success comes from ongoing development, not quick fixes.

2. Show Gratitude for Effort, Not Just Outcomes

Leadership 101: recognition matters. The same applies at home. Your partner may not always get it ‘right’ (who does?), but acknowledging their effort, whether it’s packing the school lunches, managing the bedtime routine, or simply being present, creates a culture of appreciation in your relationship. In working parent coaching, we emphasise how small, consistent acts of appreciation can transform relationships at home and in the workplace.

3. Frame Challenges as Opportunities for Growth

A big work project going sideways? A child going through a challenging phase? Instead of seeing these as obstacles, what if we reframed them as opportunities to problem-solve together? Just like in business, resilience in relationships comes from embracing challenges, not avoiding them. Coaching for working parents helps reframe struggles as learning opportunities, building resilience both in careers and at home.

4. Value the Process More Than the Result

Leadership and parenting are both long games. It’s easy to fixate on immediate outcomes, whether that’s a successful work presentation or a peaceful bedtime. But what really matters is how we show up consistently. Are we learning? Are we growing? Are we supporting each other along the way? This growth-oriented perspective is central to coaching for parents in leadership, helping them navigate both work and family life with intention.

5. Take Time to Appreciate Being in the Muddle Together

Let’s be honest, some days feel like survival mode. The key is to find moments of connection in the chaos. Whether it’s a 10-minute coffee chat before work or sharing a laugh over the absurdity of toddler negotiations, these small moments keep us anchored. In my coaching for working parents, I encourage finding and appreciating these everyday moments to strengthen both leadership and family dynamics.

6. Celebrate Growth

Just like in business, we need to take time to celebrate progress. Maybe you’ve become better at communicating your needs, or you’ve found a rhythm with work and family life that (mostly) works. Recognising growth, both individually and as a couple, fuels motivation to keep going. In working parent coaching, we focus on tracking progress and celebrating wins, no matter how small.

Parenthood and leadership are both demanding, but they don’t have to be in competition. When we approach our relationships with the same intentionality and mindset that we bring to our careers, we create a foundation that not only survives tough times, but thrives because of them. If you're looking for support in balancing your leadership role with parenting, working parent coaching can provide the tools and strategies to help you navigate the journey with confidence.