Parents make pretty good managers, turns out

Multi-tasking, stress management and negotiations.  Good skills for a manager to have, right? Turns out managers with strong commitments to family life take those skills to work for them and their better job performance is noticed by their co-workers, bosses and subordinates. A new study points to the ways parents build on their parenting skills while in the work place. They learn interpersonal communications skills and how to encourage somebody on the job.  Researchers caution, however, not to take this too far. After all, co-workers are--generally speaking--adults, so you've still got to make sure all points of view are heard and that you're not becoming a "parent" on the job. But, it's nice to know that, with so many on-going conflicts between work and parenting, there's a positive side to it all. 

Care to comment? Do you know of a good manager who obviously learned some good work skills from his/her family life? Click "Comments" below and leave us your thoughts.

Comments

[Michelle Osteria]

I have found that as a manager and mother of a 15 month old, I am learning not to sweat the small stuff and delegate more. I had a terrible habit of micro-managing and I have learned that it is best to advise, encourage and direct. I have also learned that time is limited since I work full-time as does my husband and hiring a cleaner every two weeks, someone to do our lawn when needed helps. Surprisingly, if you budget right you can fit what I have found a necessity in my life - the right help.

[Calvin Warr]

Yep, with all the BS floating around in the office, diaper changing skills are a definite plus! :D