Can you have it all? If you want to try, are you a feminist or an anti-feminist? A liberal or a conservative? That discussion has been all the rage lately with the White House’s Karoline Leavitt making waves in her 9th month of pregnancy at the Turning Point USA’s This Is The Turning Point Tour.
Is she a bad mom for having a big job? Is she bad at her job because she’s a mom?
K2 is a women-owned company and we live this conversation every day. Kristen has a 16-year-old son and two adult step kids who weren’t so adult when we started this company. Kirsten recently had her second child with a two year old at home. Our maternity and paternity leave policies have been in perpetual use for the past several years as our K2 team continues to grow.
As small business owners who love what we do but also love family life, this discussion about having it all is in our hearts and minds day in and day out. We believe balancing big time jobs and families is worth every ounce of blood, sweat and tears because of the perspective gained from and for both.
We wouldn’t be the same at work or at home without the other. It isn’t a choice for us, it’s the only way. Because of our hustle, our kids learn the value of hard work and entrepreneurship. Our colleagues and clients gain the knowledge and perspective from that same hustle and our families.
We’ll be writing more on this topic in the near future but here are a few things that might get you thinking.
Can you have it all? (Work and family)
Work with the right people
There are still systemic, ideological, gender and generational differences on this topic which means you will find some people who respect your decisions and life approach and some who don’t. After 10 years in business, we’ve realized the best way to combat that is to take time to build relationships and work with the right people. It’s OK to say no to a potential project if you don’t think you are the right fit. Resist the urge to square peg, round hole a situation because loving what you do and who you work with is best for both your work and your family. The people who respect your decisions and approach will allow you to shine and do your job the way you need to.
Understand your seasons
Life is full of seasons, what season are you in? They come and go fast so keep your finger on the pulse of your seasons and communicate with your friends, families, coworkers and clients about where you are at in life. There is no shame in being in a different season than others around you but take steps to tackle every day of your season and don’t let it get the best of you.
Prioritize, plan & communicate
Every day is a little different and everyone’s wants and needs change. Some days you might be more in family mode and other days work might take more precedent. That’s normal and OK, but own your priorities, don’t try to hide them, and communicate what you need and when. This might take more work on your end, plan each day so you own the day and the day doesn’t own you.
Value & teach hard work
Hard work ethic and learning through failing are central to the K2 Way. Perfection is not what we are striving for, that is a fool’s errand. We value and strive to teach hard work every day – to our colleagues, clients, ourselves and our families. The hustle is how we get energy, motivation and results. Not everyone in this world values hard work, learn how to use it to your advantage.
-Kirsten Kukowski, Partner and Founder