Daily Brain Snack: Parenting Boosts Innovation and Adaptability in the Workplace
Proactivity at home translates into multiple benefits in the workplace
Well, parenting is by nature adaptable and I suppose this can also transfer to workplace?
I‘ve taken a few liberties in the title to this piece and though it‘s not my usual focus on the brain I found it interesting and something I can relate to. The study out of Bath University isn’t specifically about parenting, but does include that. It focuses on transfer from home life to business life of certain abilities.
And what did they find?
They tracked 147 dual earning couples and analysed their behaviours at home and at work over 6 weeks in the United States.
And the results were quite impressive specifically discovered that “…strategic renewal at home fosters strategic renewal at work through the mediating effects of weekly flow at home and self-efficacy“
You‘ll have to explain that to me!
Yeah, „strategic renewal“ at home sounds mighty grand. What this means is that those who were proactive in adjusting, changing, and managing (hopefully improving) how tasks such as childcare were managed at home transferred these same types of skills to the workplace.
So basically managing home tasks effectively?
Yes, but some people stick to routines that don‘t work and just complain. Some were much more proactive, started using new tools, were flexible, and discussed how to improve, and the benefits were also impressive.
What were the benefits?
Well, first off, they felt more capable and in control - in itself this reduces stress and increases confidence.
This seems like it transfers into the workplace and:
Lowers stress
Boosts resilience
Boosts confidence
Increases adaptability
Boost innovation
And generally increases performance. Impressive!
So how you engage at home predicts workplace performance - but can this be changed?
Good question, can changing home schedules and attitudes transfer over. This study only measured correlations and not causation. Experience from my coaching would suggest that this is the case. Previously work from this same group showed that interactions from the workplace transfer over to the home.
The human brain and body is one system and it does not distinguish biologically from home to work. If you can increase efficacy, at home, be adaptable, and reduce stress, this will transfer to all other areas of your life.
So should business give courses on home management?
That‘s probably a step too far for most businesses but giving supporting services to families would almost certainly help.
The take home message is be adaptable and proactive in changing home schedules - this is good for all areas in life.
Yasin Rofcanin, Siqi Wang, Mireia Las Heras, Maria Jose Bosch Kreis, Aykut Berber, Mine Afacan Findikli.
Understanding the dynamics of strategic renewal across domains: A work–home resources model perspective.
Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 2025; 98 (2)
DOI: 10.1111/joop.70027