Recently, several phenomenal female coaches at Teamalytics have shared powerful insights in a series on women in leadership. Their words challenged me to reflect deeply on my own views and experiences around balancing leadership and family. 

 I have the privilege of working with exceptional female leaders, both within our client  

organizations and at Teamalytics itself. My boss, Susan, is one of the best leaders I’ve ever encountered—a phenomenal CEO who, alongside managing a thriving organization and active community involvement, invests deeply in relationships, including with my children, who affectionately see her as a bonus grandparent. 

I’ve long believed myself free of stereotypical assumptions about gender roles in work and family life. Yet, a recent experience profoundly reshaped my understanding. 

When my wife, Sharon, spent two months leading her film production team on location in Pittsburgh, the usual routines at home shifted dramatically. I was typically the one traveling for work while Sharon primarily worked from home. Now, the responsibility of being the primary caregiver fell squarely on my shoulders for the first time. The intensity of managing daily life—meals, entertainment, childcare, and more—revealed just how much Sharon had intuitively handled, even while growing her career and building her company. 

This role reversal opened my eyes to the hidden burdens many women carry, often without recognition. My appreciation for single parents skyrocketed, and my empathy deepened for the pressure women experience when navigating demanding careers and family responsibilities simultaneously. 

The lesson was clear: even partnerships rooted in equality can unintentionally become imbalanced. True partnership requires ongoing intention and mutual support. Recognizing this, I have a renewed respect for the resilience, determination, and intentionality shown especially by the women leaders I work with every day. 

This experience strengthened my commitment to actively supporting Sharon in balancing our partnership at home and advocating for supportive environments for women leaders everywhere. It’s crucial that we all—men and women alike—challenge the false perception that women must choose between career and family. There is a middle ground, achievable through active, engaged partnership from spouses, extended families, and communities. 

Let’s collectively rethink how we define partnership and support, enabling more women to thrive both in their roles at home and in leadership.