Leadership Lessons from the Playroom
Turns out, the best leadership seminar I’ve attended lately involved bottles and story time.
This week, I traded my desk for diapers and deadlines for bedtime routines. I’m out of town taking care of three grandkids ( a seven-year-old with big opinions and twin nine-month-olds who somehow always need something at exactly the same time). I’d like to say I’m running on caffeine, but it’s 8:30 pm, and I never had my first cup of coffee.Yes, it’s still sitting on the counter because there wasn’t time to drink it. Instead, let’s say I’m running on love and the same pair of pajamas I put on two days ago (don’t judge).
But in the middle of all this chaos, I realized something. Kids are tiny teachers. They may not know how to run a marketing campaign, but they’re experts in a few things that great leaders (and great teams) could stand to remember.
1. Communication is Everything
When you have twins, you learn quickly that crying is a language. One’s hungry, one’s tired, and sometimes…shocker, they just want to be heard. It’s not so different from work. Everyone communicates in their own way, and the key is listening with intent, not just reacting. Whether it’s a client or a colleague, sometimes people don’t need you to fix it, they just need to know you’re tuned in.
2. Patience Isn’t Passive
If I’ve learned anything from trying to feed two babies while convincing a 7-year-old that bedtime is not optional, it’s that patience is an active sport. It takes energy, empathy, and a whole lot of deep breathing. The same goes for leading a team. Progress doesn’t always move at our pace, and the best results often come when we slow down and trust the process (even when it’s messy).
3. Curiosity Keeps Things Fun
My grandson’s new favorite phrase is, “Why?” Usually followed by another “why” and another. It’s exhausting…but it’s also brilliant. Curiosity is how we grow. At KR Squared, the best ideas often start with a simple, “What if?” So here’s to keeping a little childlike wonder in everything we do.
4. Joy is Contagious
Even on two hours of sleep, a baby’s laugh can turn the whole day around. Yep, joy is powerful, and it spreads. Whether in the playroom or the workplace, a positive attitude can shift energy, build momentum, and remind everyone why they love what they do.
So yes, I’m tired. And I may never look at a Pokémon episode the same way again. But I’m also grateful for the reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up with heart and humor. Because whether you’re running a business or chasing babies, the lessons are the same: communicate clearly, stay curious, practice patience, and find joy in the chaos.
And if you can do all that while still in your two-day-old pajamas? You’re winning.
