I have spent a significant portion of my career obsessed with efficiency. I have studied the mechanics of management, dissected the nuances of decision-making, and built frameworks designed to squeeze every ounce of productivity out of a twenty-four-hour cycle.
But a recent trip to Australia taught me that preparation is only half the battle. For four months, I trained for the Sydney Marathon. The miles were logged and the plan was solid. What I did not account for was the reality of family travel and the unpredictability of parenthood. That adventure taught me more about leadership than the race itself.
When the Travel Adventure Meets Real-World Exhaustion
The plan was simple: run the marathon, fly to New Zealand, and continue the trip as a family. What I underestimated was the “exhaustion compound.” By the time we hit Auckland, I was depleted. Meanwhile, my daughter, a high-energy toddler, was just getting started.
In business, you often arrive at critical moments already tired. You have just finished a big push when an unexpected challenge hits. This is where parenting and leadership intersect. You do not get to pause just because you are drained. Your composure, not your output, defines your productivity in these moments.
The Power of Repair over Perfection
At one point during our travel through New Zealand, I lost my patience. It was not my proudest moment as a leader or a dad. I realized that whether you are navigating a foreign city with a toddler or a boardroom with a difficult client, perfection is a lie.
I thought about Dr. Becky Kennedy’s concept of “Repair.” Strong businesses and strong families are built on the ability to repair a situation when it goes wrong, not on flawless execution. This is a vital tip for any leader: acknowledge the mistake, reconnect with your team, and move forward.
Final Thoughts: Staying Grounded in Parenthood and Business
Travel amplifies everything. It strips away the illusion of control and reminds you that people show up as they are, not as you planned for them to be. The best leaders stay loose enough to adjust their strategy when the adventure goes sideways.
Mental strength is not about pushing harder; it is about staying present when things are uncomfortable. If you can navigate family travel and exhaustion with awareness, you build the resilience required to lead through any business uncertainty.
