How Being a Parent Makes You A Leader in Your Optometric Practice

Optometry entrepreneurs often take inspiration from various sources to enhance their skills of being a leader. This can be from different areas such as psychology, geography, history, literature, language, etc.

However, there is one major element that often tends to get overlooked as a valid source of inspiration: Parenthood.

Having to bring a new human being into the world, raising them, nurturing them, keeping them safe and sound, and at the same time transforming yourself as an adult and a human being comes with its own challenges and needs to take initiatives.

Pulling all-nighters because of a crying and irritated baby, toddler sick days, teaching to be empathetic while learning to be empathetic, and at the same time handling household and office demands can be overwhelming yet will also teach the most valuable lessons of life.

Having an optometry business is like having a child. You have to take that risk, and then nurture it into a full grown entity that the world recognizes, and deals with. This is why a lot of the optometrists have named being a parent as one of the best teachers of skills when it came to being a leader in the business.

Be farsighted

You will have to treat your business exactly like your child. It is not your responsibility and you will have to think of its future like you do with your child’s. The way you start thinking about what school your child would be at the age of 10 you will have to think where you see your business in 10 years. Have a plan for growth, a defensive strategy for the competition and exit strategy among the many things to consider.

Toddler communication

Communicating with a toddler who may be throwing a tantrum or being stubborn is one of the most important things a parent does. Parents who have dealt with their toddlers while they throw a fit and have negotiated with them to come to a deal which will keep peace at both sides has become a master at bargaining. A lot of parent optometrists have discovered that after having taken care of a toddler they are able to handle negotiations better and have learned patience. They are able to develop skills like active listening and communicating effectively.

You are not afraid of saying no anymore

Fresh optometrists might be a little afraid of saying “No” at first, so as not to come off as rude to the other person. This could also be so as not to risk losing good business as well. But as a parent, you become aware of what things are to be said yes to and what things are to be said no to. It takes some repetition of doing so but now that you have started to say no, it will become way easier for you. There will come a time when you can say no to an email or out loud to a stakeholder without another thought of hindrance. The parent optometrist can take on a lot but saying no to the little things can be open doors to more opportunities and have an authoritative  voice for your decisions.