A client of mine who is an increasingly successful CEO called to tell me he no longer had any idea how to communicate with his 12-year-old daughter.
“Tom, my daughter can talk circles around me. I went up to her room for a spontaneous father-daughter conversation and she is chatting on the computer while talking on the phone and listening to music while she completes an important research assignment,” he said. I asked, “How are her grades?”
“She's an honor student,” he replied with pride pouring through the phone. “Is she active outside the home?” I asked.
“She's into soccer and swimming, enjoys drawing, sews with her grandmother and recently captured the lead in the school's spring musical. Tom, she is the multitasking princess,” was his response. At that moment, my client was gushing with enthusiasm, choking up about what a great kid he helped raise.
Suddenly, the enthusiasm spilled into tears of sorrow. “What's the problem?” I asked.
“I don't know how to talk to her. I feel I am losing her and I am not ready to let that happen,” he said. “I mean, I don't know when she turned into this mega multitasking professional.”
I knew my client was facing what many parents across our nation are coming to grips with, they helped create the multitasking world and now our children are perfecting it. “She's just a child, just a 12-year-old child,” exclaimed my client as he blamed himself for modeling a 24/7 multitasking lifestyle. I hear this same disconnect scenario, professional investment versus the most precious love in their lives, from several high achievers.
“You are a great leader and an even better father and husband. Enjoy the fruits of your labor,” I stated. I encouraged they spend time with each other on fun-filled adventures, not goal achievement excursions, but outings for the very joy of being with each other.
My client first responded, “But I don't know if we can coordinate our schedules, we are both so …” then he was silent. After a few more exchanges, our conversation ended on a very positive note with a plan for three father-daughter adventures.
I grow increasingly concerned about the choices we are being forced to make as parents and leaders. Our acceptance of the 24/7 lifestyle is taxing us out of life's most precious gifts, stressing our relationships beyond any previously known level and possibly pushing us into long-term health issues we are not prepared to handle.
Personal time outside of the home and away from instant communication gadgets to express your appreciation and love for the most important people in your life should be the priority, not the exception.
For more information, call (760) 889-0882 or visit www.gottall.com.
“Tom, my daughter can talk circles around me. I went up to her room for a spontaneous father-daughter conversation and she is chatting on the computer while talking on the phone and listening to music while she completes an important research assignment,” he said. I asked, “How are her grades?”
“She's an honor student,” he replied with pride pouring through the phone. “Is she active outside the home?” I asked.
“She's into soccer and swimming, enjoys drawing, sews with her grandmother and recently captured the lead in the school's spring musical. Tom, she is the multitasking princess,” was his response. At that moment, my client was gushing with enthusiasm, choking up about what a great kid he helped raise.
Suddenly, the enthusiasm spilled into tears of sorrow. “What's the problem?” I asked.
“I don't know how to talk to her. I feel I am losing her and I am not ready to let that happen,” he said. “I mean, I don't know when she turned into this mega multitasking professional.”
I knew my client was facing what many parents across our nation are coming to grips with, they helped create the multitasking world and now our children are perfecting it. “She's just a child, just a 12-year-old child,” exclaimed my client as he blamed himself for modeling a 24/7 multitasking lifestyle. I hear this same disconnect scenario, professional investment versus the most precious love in their lives, from several high achievers.
“You are a great leader and an even better father and husband. Enjoy the fruits of your labor,” I stated. I encouraged they spend time with each other on fun-filled adventures, not goal achievement excursions, but outings for the very joy of being with each other.
My client first responded, “But I don't know if we can coordinate our schedules, we are both so …” then he was silent. After a few more exchanges, our conversation ended on a very positive note with a plan for three father-daughter adventures.
I grow increasingly concerned about the choices we are being forced to make as parents and leaders. Our acceptance of the 24/7 lifestyle is taxing us out of life's most precious gifts, stressing our relationships beyond any previously known level and possibly pushing us into long-term health issues we are not prepared to handle.
Personal time outside of the home and away from instant communication gadgets to express your appreciation and love for the most important people in your life should be the priority, not the exception.
For more information, call (760) 889-0882 or visit www.gottall.com.