476. Expert Interview: How to Balance Being CEO and Parent

Kim Lim

Kim Lim is a bio-medical CEO, mother of two and best-selling author. Kim knows firsthand the struggle of balancing the role of boss and mom. But what she didn’t expect is that the same skills she uses in the boardroom can also be used to wrangle her two boys at home.

Kim says you can find a balance between work and home life. Being a working parent—especially doing it solo—means double the responsibilities, but you can achieve harmony and success. Kim shares how the skills you use at the office can translate to the skills needed at home. She shares five BRAVE steps to creating a successful work and home balance. By taking these steps at home with your family, you will feel less torn between home and work.

How to Balance Being CEO and Parent

“Being both a mom or a dad and a business owner, it’s important to remember that you are still the same person. You are a human being in both of those roles. There is a misconception about having to be a hardline boss at work, then going home and trying to be a loving, caring parent. I’ve seen so many male CEOs do that kind of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde dual personality, and they miss out on a lot of things in their lives. They often feel torn between work and home.”

Why Is This Important?

“In a general sense, there is a misconception that in child rearing as well as in being a CEO and a boss, you use a stick and a carrot. You get rewards, or you get punishments. That’s a very black and white approach. I think, both as a parent and as a CEO, my role is to be a compass for people instead. My role is to guide them in the direction they need to go. As a parent, I don’t need to be constantly fixing things for my children, and as a boss, I don’t need to micromanage my employees.”

What Are the Key Lessons Learned Here?

I want to encourage people not to be afraid to try new things. Among the many misconceptions I’ve faced has been the myth that, because I’m a mom, I’m not going to have time to run a business, start something new, or change my career. Then, on the other side, I’ve faced the misconception that having a career and being driven means I can’t be an engaged parent. I think you can have the best of both worlds if you keep your priorities in check. Above all, make sure that YOU are happy! If you are not happy, your kids won’t be happy, and your employees won’t be happy either.”