5 Real-Deal Leadership Lessons I've Learned from Being a Single Parent

“The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up.”

- John C. Maxwell

Hey there! Today, I'm taking a bit of a personal turn on the blog. As a single parent, I've had my fair share of chaos, coffee, and late-night worries. But, you know what? It's also taught me some pretty incredible things about leadership.

Let's dive into these lessons, which are as real as it gets, and see how they translate into our world of entrepreneurship and personal growth.

1. Juggling Like a Pro

 First up, multitasking. If you're a single parent, you're basically the CEO of your household. You're balancing budgets, fixing scraped knees, and sometimes, helping with math homework that looks like a foreign language (can anyone say COMMON CORE?!?) . In business, it's not much different. We're constantly switching hats, managing deadlines, and trying to keep our cool. It’s all about prioritizing and keeping the main thing, the main thing.

2. Emotional Intelligence is My Superpower

Reading the room? More like reading a middle-schooler who's on the brink of a meltdown because of some dramatic event that happened in their group of friends and flipping through attitudes faster than the speed of sound. Single parenting has turned me into an emotional ninja. I can sense a mood shift from a mile away, and it’s a game-changer in the boardroom. Understanding what your team needs, sometimes before they do, is key to creating that vibe where everyone feels seen and heard.

3. Bouncing Back Like a Boss

Resilience? Check. Single parents have this on lock. Why? Because it's a have to not a want to. We’ve seen tough times, heartaches, and have powered through when we thought we couldn’t. In our businesses, this means when things don’t go as planned (and let's be real, when do they ever?), we don’t crumble. We adapt, learn, and come back stronger. It’s about finding that silver lining and rolling with the punches.

4. Decision-Making on the Fly

As a single parent, sometimes you've got to make big calls solo – and fast. Whether it’s a health scare or a last-minute school project, you learn to trust your gut. In the entrepreneurial world, it’s much the same. Quick, confident decisions can be the difference between a missed opportunity and a major win. And hey, sometimes you just have to go with your gut and hope for the best.

5. Cheerleader-in-Chief

Last but definitely not least, single parents are the ultimate cheerleaders. From celebrating that first bike ride without training wheels to those small wins on a Tuesday, we’re there with the high-fives and happy dances. In business, being the one who lifts others up, recognizes hard work, and keeps spirits high is what leadership’s all about. It's amazing what a little encouragement and belief in someone can do.

Wrapping it up

So, there you have it – leadership lessons from the school of single parenting. It’s messy, challenging, but oh so rewarding. And you know what? It’s these real, everyday experiences that make us better leaders, better entrepreneurs, and honestly, better people.

Here at EBD Collective Coaching & Consulting, we're all about embracing the journey, learning from our experiences, and sharing those lessons with others. Whether you're a single parent, juggling a side hustle, or just trying to figure it all out – know that your experiences are shaping you into an incredible leader. Keep pushing, keep growing, and let’s keep sharing these stories!

See you in the next post!