Madeleine Sander is a member of the board at HAUCK AUFHรUSER LAMPE Privatbank, where she is responsible for the "Growth, Transformation, and Innovation" division. She recently returned from her parental leave and believes that parents develop skills that are very interesting for companies. She explains what she means by that.
It's hard to believe, but a few days ago marked my one-year anniversary of returning to Hauck Aufhรคuser Lampe after my parental leave. On the one hand, so much has happened since then that it feels like I was never away. On the other hand, I've returned with an immense new wealth of experience that has greatly enriched my "daily life after my parental leave".
And for good reason. Here are some of my highlights:
โ Parents are excellent project managers: As a consultant, I learned early on how important control and planning are. But as a working mom, I found that a completely new bar is set for parents. Only with excellent organization and a good dose of flexibility can you manage daycare, pediatrician appointments, spontaneous childcare failures, or illnesses alongside your professional life.
โ Prioritizing the absolutely necessary: How can I best use the time slot when Iโve just managed to get the baby to sleep? What are the top three things I absolutely need to get done today? My little "employer" has really tested my prioritization skills, and from this very personal training ground, I've also taken a lot professionallyโsuch as redesigning my work routines and scheduling.
โ Customer orientation reimagined: Anticipating the needs of a small being who cannot yet articulate them sharpens one's powers of observation immenselyโin my opinion, an excellent exercise for outstanding customer orientation.
โ Creativity in dealing with the unexpected: Yesterday, pasta was at the top of the favourite foods listโtoday, itโs just "yuck!" But if it flies into the mouth like a helicopter, itโs back in favour. So, the key is to stay relaxed and creative! Parenthood is a great exercise in constant adaptation.
All in all, these are skills that are highly relevant to professional life. At the same time, the idea of a "career break due to having children" is still often an issue for parents, particularly for women, as a study by the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency shows. However, the real challenge seems to be re-entering the workforce. According to a Stepstone study, only half of mothers return to their previous position, mostly with reduced working hours. As a result, a study by the Bertelsmann Foundation calculates that a woman with a child earns 43% less by retirement than a woman without a child. For three children, the loss is even 68%.
This is not only a social issue but also an economic one that needs to change! Parents are a hidden asset, and their experiences should be much more recognized!
What do you think? What new skills have you acquired as parents?
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