There’s an unexpected source of insight, solutions, and resolve for all working parents grappling with the dual failure-is-not-an-option challenges of managing career and kids — and for every organization struggling to find meaningful, practical ways to support its working-parent employees.
What the U.S. Military Can Teach Companies About Supporting Employees’ Families
There’s an unexpected source of insight, solutions, and resolve for all working parents grappling with the dual, failure-not-an-option challenges of managing career and kids – and for every organization struggling to find meaningful, practical ways to support its working-parent employees. That source is the US military. As one senior leader in the government’s office of Military Community and Family Policy says, “The number one reason for military professionals not being battle-ready is worry about the people at home.” In the face of that ongoing challenge the military – and individuals within it – have developed practical and creative solutions that work. While some of these fixes are large, systemic, and difficult for companies to replicate, many other approaches are within reach of all organizations regardless of focus or resources, and easily adopted by mothers and fathers everywhere. These transferable approaches start with prioritizing predictability and making routines consistent.