The No.1 Skill Every Conscious Parent Needs to Lead Their Child
While leadership is often seen as a role in an organisation or company, the truth is... as parents, we are also leaders.
We’re heading up something just as significant — our families.
The key difference?
We don’t get to clock off at the end of the day.
There are many different styles of leadership, each bringing different results.
In the 19th century, leadership was autocratic — a command-and-control approach designed for conformity and efficiency in the industrial age.
In the 20th century, it shifted to a more authoritarian style — leaders focused on positive relationships while still enforcing strict rules, aligning with the needs of the information age.
But now, in the 21st century — the age of disruption — a new model of parenting is emerging.
This model is Leadership Parenting.
And at its core? Authenticity.
Just as great leaders in organisations lead best when they’re genuine and grounded, the same is even more true in families. Our children don’t need perfect parents. They need real ones. Parents who lead with presence and self-awareness.
So what exactly is authenticity... and why does it matter in raising children?
Authenticity is “representing one’s true nature or beliefs; true to oneself.”
When we are authentic, we access creativity, intuition, and deep connection — all essential for conscious parenting.
In fact, research by the Foundation for Young Australians found that from 2012 to 2015, the demand for creativity in job advertisements increased by 65%.
That tells us something.
Our kids are growing up in a world that values originality, innovation, and adaptability — and the best way to prepare them is to model those things ourselves.
So how do we cultivate authenticity?
The No.1 skill is self-awareness.
If you find yourself in repeated power struggles or miscommunications with your child, it’s an invitation to pause and look inward.
Maybe you expect your child to follow instructions immediately because that’s how you operate.
Maybe you were raised to believe respect equals obedience.
Maybe you feel overwhelmed, and your child’s slower pace feels frustrating when you're under pressure.
At the same time, your child might:
Need time to process before responding
Be developmentally wired to test boundaries
Feel misunderstood and begin to shut down
Self-awareness allows you to recognise what’s yours, what’s theirs, and how to create more space for connection in between.
As Rumi says,
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
And that’s the heart of leadership in parenting.
Ready to discover your parenting leadership style and lead your family with more authenticity and confidence? Take the free quiz and uncover your strengths, blind spots, and how to parent with purpose.
