I’m visiting Rapid City on a short book tour this week. Since my book is about how the skills you learn as a parent are the same skills you need to be a good boss, the question came up (as it often does) about Sarah Palin and her declaration that being a mom prepared her for political office.

That’s a really good question.

My book is actually meant for mid-level managers. It’s the perfect read for someone who manages one to 25 people. It was those folks I had in mind when I was writing it.

Most management books are written for the person who wants to become CEO. Yet, it’s generally the second tier managers who make or break a company. Those were the people I wanted to write a book for. I think a book aimed at managers sandwiched between the people in charge and the people who interact with the customer is the most helpful to most businesses.  

That is why my subtitle is “Using Your Parenting Skills to be a Better BOSS” (as opposed to leader). My editors were deliberate in that title.

So to talk about parenting skills helping someone be governor, president, or even CEO, is a bit out of my league. I have never been a politician. I really don’t know what it takes. It seems to me that parenting skills can certainly help you be a better politician. My favorite quote is, “You don’t know negotiations until you’ve had two kids and one piece of toffee.”

Raising kids teaches you how to keep your cool under pressure. Leaders need that. It teaches you how to be resourceful and kind and creative. Leaders need that too. I guess there are lots of things raising kids can prepare you for in public office.