Lean Into Your Leadership Style

Running a business while raising a family is no small feat. It’s a constant juggle of priorities, shifting between work, school runs, client calls, bedtime routines, financial planning, and somehow finding a moment for yourself in between. But one of the most powerful things you can do as an entrepreneur and a parent is to lean into your own unique leadership style—both in business and at home.

You Don’t Have to Lead Like Everyone Else

It’s easy to compare yourself to others—those who seem to have it all figured out, who run their businesses with military precision or seem to glide effortlessly between work and family life. But the truth is, leadership is not one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re strategic and structured or creative and adaptable, your leadership style should work for you, not against you.

For many entrepreneurial mothers, leadership looks different from the corporate model. It’s about flexibility, intuition, and resilience. It’s about making decisions based on both logic and gut instinct. It’s about recognising that some days will be chaotic, but progress is still being made.

Leading with Flexibility

One of the greatest strengths of running your own business is the ability to create a structure that fits your life, not the other way around. Traditional leadership often values rigid routines, but when you're balancing a business and a family, adaptability is key.

If you need to take a call while walking the pram around the park, reschedule a meeting because your child is home sick, or structure your workday around school hours, that’s not a weakness—that’s smart leadership. Flexibility doesn’t mean a lack of control; it means designing your business to work for your reality.

Leading with Compassion

Leadership doesn’t mean having to be tough or detached. In fact, one of the biggest advantages entrepreneurial mothers have is their ability to lead with empathy. Whether it’s understanding your team’s needs, creating a supportive workplace culture, or being a business that truly values work-life balance, compassion in leadership builds loyalty and trust.

This extends to yourself too. Running a business and raising a family can be overwhelming at times. You will drop balls, miss deadlines, or feel stretched too thin—but that doesn’t mean you’re failing. Leading yourself with kindness and allowing room for imperfection is just as important as leading others.

Leading by Example

Many of us started businesses for freedom—freedom to do meaningful work, to be present for our children, and to build something on our own terms. By leaning into your leadership style, you’re showing your children that success isn’t about fitting into a mould but about creating something that aligns with your values.

They see you navigating challenges, finding solutions, and working towards your goals. They see that ambition and motherhood are not mutually exclusive. You are setting an example that leadership can look many different ways—and that’s powerful.

Embrace Your Version of Leadership

At the end of the day, leadership isn’t about titles, strict structures, or doing things the way others expect you to. It’s about knowing your strengths, trusting your instincts, and building a business that works for you and your family.

So, whether your leadership style is hands-on and deeply personal or structured and strategic, embrace it. Lean into what makes you a great leader—because your way is the right way for you.