Balancing career and family is a major challenge for many people today, including fathers in management positions. While in the past it was mainly women who were faced with the question of work-family balance, this issue is increasingly becoming a priority for men as well. Male managers are often faced with the question of how to succeed professionally without neglecting their role as fathers. Executive business coach Eva Boos writes on the Gentleman Blog about a healthy work-life balance, how fatherhood can affect your career, and what strategies help balance family and career.

The importance of fatherhood in career planning

Before the birth of a child, many expectant parents think about how the new living situation will impact their work. While mothers are often forced to manage compatibility, for men these considerations often remain superficial. “Future fathers still have to ask themselves this question in the real world of their work less often and less intensely than pregnant women, which is unfair.says Christoph Breitenfelder, director of the public relations agency Fullstop in Vienna. Nevertheless, more and more men have the desire to become fathers and view this role as a father as an important part of their identity – even if this may mean that some professional goals can be achieved more slowly.

Fatherhood is a gift that enriches life in many ways, even if it comes with its challenges. It’s not only about the joy of being a parent, but also the responsibility that can fundamentally change everyday life, including professional life. “For me, our child is the greatest gift, even though there are of course stressful phases and many things in life have changed thanks to fatherhood. “But consciously giving that up to maybe make a bigger or faster career was not an option for me.“, explains Breitenfelder.

Taking parental leave: a decision

Parental leave is a period that allows fathers and mothers to spend time with their newborn immediately after birth to strengthen the bond. Despite growing social acceptance, relatively few fathers still decide to take this step, often for fear of professional consequences.

For many fathers, the decision to take parental leave is a conscious priority. “It was important to me to be able to spend more time with my son and be there for him all day, over a longer period of time.», Explains agency director Breitenfelder, who took three months of parental leave. This period not only allowed her to experience important stages of her child’s development up close, but also to build a deeper emotional bond. “These experiences and memories stay forever“, he emphasizes.

However, the desire for parental leave is not always supported by companies. Even though the legal framework for parental leave is clearly defined in Germany, some employers still discourage fathers from taking advantage of this option. Some employees even feel that it doesn’t really strengthen their position in the company. Different with Christoph Breitenfelder: “My decision was respected and together we made the necessary preparations to best accommodate my absence.“, he said. “Supportive colleagues and a clear structure within the company made it possible to get through this phase well.”

If the employer does not offer support

Many fathers, particularly in management positions, find that their decision to take parental leave is not supported by their boss. Some companies are concerned that prolonged absences due to parental leave could have a negative impact on projects or team structure. In such cases, fathers face the challenge of balancing their role as an active father with their role as a leader in the business. This situation requires not only tact in dealing with superiors, but also clear communication and the ability to respond constructively to resistance. What can help here:

1. Open and solution-oriented communication

It is important to have an open discussion about the desire to take parental leave, to listen to the boss’s concerns and to show understanding towards him.

2. Offer early planning and handover

Sufficient time to plan and transfer tasks is important for everyone involved. A structured and well-prepared handover to colleagues takes the pressure off the team and shows that the manager is also interested in company affairs during his absence.

3. Legal clarity and self-awareness

Parental leave is a right enshrined in law. This means that the future father has the right to enjoy this time with his family. If the employer signals that this could undermine the career or position, the manager can politely and firmly remind the employer of the legal framework and previous benefits the company has received from his leadership role.

Return to working life after parental leave

Returning from parental leave usually begins with a sort of transition phase that can be difficult for both the father and the company. On the one hand, it is important that the returning father reintegrates his career into daily life in order to quickly find his professional path. On the other hand, it can be difficult to reconcile the family routines you have just acquired with new professional demands.

Many fathers mentally prepare for this return during their parental leave in order to make the transition as smooth as possible. “During my parental leave, I checked my emails from time to time when my child was asleep so as not to be confronted with thousands of new emails the first day after returning and not knowing what to expect.“, explains Breitenfelder when describing his strategy. However, it takes time to re-enter daily professional life and you have to get used to your new role as a working father.

Tips for achieving work-life balance as a young father

For young fathers in leadership positions, it can be particularly difficult to balance the company’s professional expectations with their own and family’s needs.

Here are three valuable tips from Christoph Breitenfelder, agency director of the public relations agency Fullstop in Vienna, for successfully mastering this balance:

1. Set clear boundaries

It is crucial to draw clear boundaries between work and private life, both mentally and spatially. When you are working, you must concentrate 100% on your work. Conversely, it is of course also important to give them your full attention when spending time with your family. Especially when working from home, it is important to have a clear workspace, separate from family life.

2. Prioritize and delegate tasks

Especially for business trips or projects that require additional time, it may make sense to delegate them to the team if possible. This creates space for more planning in the family space. This means you can perform certain rituals and tasks at home, like putting your child to bed, even more often.

3. Consciously plan your breaks

Regular breaks and days off are essential to avoid getting caught up in the whirlwind of work and family responsibilities. The more regular my work life is, the better I can coordinate with my wife and plan breaks for both of us. Rituals such as putting the child to bed or spending the weekend together must be consciously integrated into daily life.

Conclusion

Work-life balance and fatherhood are not easy tasks. Balancing them is especially difficult for managers who have many responsibilities in their job. This requires clear priorities, support from those around you, and a willingness to realistically assess and manage your own expectations of yourself. Because fatherhood is not only an enrichment for personal life, but can also be an opportunity to return to work strengthened – with new perspectives and an expanded understanding of responsibility and leadership. Additionally, living with children in particular teaches you the need for good self-management.

Also read: 11 tips for new fathers