Shou Chew argued the order was made in different circumstances, when it looked like the U.S. was going to ban the app
Innovation hinges not only on how much teams learn, but when they learn it—and in what order.
As a leader in technology for nearly 30 years, I have observed waves of innovation disrupt the global business landscape and trigger major shifts in the way we work. Now, as AI takes its place as the next big thing, the global workforce is facing an o…
Talent is defeated by toxic culture.
Healthy culture is never an accident. Toxic cultures are the result of ignorance, distraction and neglect.
Ignorance of the importance of team dynamics.
Distraction by focusing on problems and short-term metrics….
Trump’s attacks on global trade and threats against Canadian sovereignty have helped push companies away from the U.S. and toward the EU
Hello and welcome to Modern CEO! I’m Stephanie Mehta, CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures. Each week this newsletter explores inclusive approaches to leadership drawn from conversations with executives and entrepreneurs, and from the pa…
Workers who take small steps to enforce work-life balance—like setting an out-of-office message on weekends or not answering emails on vacation—are often considered less committed and promotable, even when they’re encouraged to take those actions.
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Some days, “Have a great day!!!” is just too much to ask.
You might even be tempted to respond to this effusive well-wisher: “Have you seen the news?” “Have you seen my to-do list?” “Have you seen my team’s numbers?” “Have you seen my sleep score?”…
A few years ago, I met a woman at a networking event who whispered her confession over a plastic cup of chardonnay: “I love my job. I’m proud of what I’ve built. But every time I miss a school play or forget to sign a field trip form, I feel like I failed them.” She didn’t say who “them” referred to. Perhaps her kids, society, herself. Maybe all three.
That moment stuck with me because it symbolized the tension so many ambitious parents live with every day: The drive to achieve versus the guilt that comes from not always being present for our family. And let’s be clear, this isn’t just a working mom issue. Dads feel it. Stay-at-home parents with side hustles or passion projects feel it. Anyone who wants something outside of parenthood—whether it’s a promotion, a creative dream, or even just a regular workout routine—knows that familiar battle between showing up for yourself and showing up for your kids.
Where does the guilt come from?
Let’s start with the root of this guilt. For many of us, especially women, ambition and parenting, have long been thought of as rival (if not warring) priorities. A parent who is all-in at work is assumed to be checked out at home. The culture tells us you can’t be fully present in both places. And if you try, be prepared to be stretched thinner than a toddler’s patience in a long checkout line.
Social media certainly doesn’t help. While we’re eating chips over our laptops, we scroll past moms packing bento box lunches with star-shaped cucumbers and love notes. We see dads coaching every Saturday soccer game while we’re FaceTiming from a hotel room on yet another work trip. The comparison game is brutal.
Yet, guilt doesn’t only come from comparing ourselves to the parents who treat lunch prep like a Top Chef challenge. It hits because we care. Ambitious parents aren’t just chasing promotions, we’re also chasing snuggles, bedtime stories, and the sense that we’re nailing this whole “being a present parent” thing. So if we fall short, it feels like a dagger to the heart.
Is it possible to be ambitious and a great parent?
The short answer is yes. But not without first redefining what “great” really looks like.
Being a good parent isn’t about being there for every single moment. It’s about being there for the ones that matter most. You can miss the bake sale and still raise a kid that feels cared for and secure. What children need more than perfection is a realistic role model. They need to see what it looks like to pursue a dream, have challenges, set boundaries, and show up for the people you love.
When it’s rooted in purpose, ambition teaches kids resilience, how to manage their time and what it looks like to care deeply about something. That doesn’t mean we should be so focused on the next achievement that we miss what’s happening right in front of us. The key is staying in sync—pursuing your goals without neglecting your child’s needs . . . or your own.
Digital upskilling is not just for tech teams anymore—it can help all employees thrive and make companies more competitive. Here’s how your organization can get started.
