Meet Mark, a top HR manager in higher education. Known for his strategic mind and people-first leadership, Mark is the go-to person for resolving complex workplace challenges. He manages recruitment pipelines, designs professional development programs, and ensures that policies align with university values. But at home, Mark struggles with a different kind of challenge—maintaining a connection with his family.
Lately, he’s felt like two different people: the decisive, confident leader at work, and the overwhelmed, emotionally absent dad at home. Mark doesn’t recognize the man who slumps into his chair after dinner, avoiding family conversations because he’s just too tired to engage.
Losing Autonomy: “I Don’t Control My Time”
Mark’s days are dictated by other people’s needs. He spends hours responding to urgent emails, attending back-to-back meetings, and handling crises. By the time he leaves the office, his calendar feels like it’s been written by everyone but him. At home, he faces another set of decisions—what to eat, how to spend the evening, and whether to address the pile of laundry or his child’s request to play a board game.
One night, his teenage daughter asked him to review her college essay. Mark sighed, staring at his laptop, and muttered, “Can we do this tomorrow?” Her defeated look stung. “How did I end up here?” he wondered.
Rebuilding Autonomy: A New Perspective with Core Energy Coaching
Through Core Energy Coaching, Mark realized he didn’t have to be at the mercy of his schedule. By creating boundaries, he could reclaim control of his time. He started experimenting with small but impactful changes:
- Blocking off 15-minute breaks between meetings to breathe and refocus.
- Leaving the office by 5:30 PM, no exceptions.
- Using meal-prep services to reduce decision fatigue around dinner.
Mark’s coach also introduced him to The 7 Energy Levels of Time, a tool that helped him reframe how he approached tasks throughout the day. By identifying energy-draining activities and shifting his perspective, Mark found ways to bring higher energy levels to key moments. For example, he tackled mundane tasks with a mindset of service (Level 4 energy), viewing them as opportunities to support his team and family. He also blocked time for family activities, approaching them with vision and flow (Levels 6 and 7 energy). Slowly, Mark began feeling more present at home. That college essay review? He now schedules a dedicated “family hour” after dinner, where everyone gets his undivided attention.
Losing Mastery: “I Don’t Know How to Connect”
At work, Mark is a pro at building relationships, resolving conflicts, and mentoring colleagues. At home, however, he feels like a novice. “Why don’t these skills translate?” he asks himself when his son slams the door after an argument about screen time.
Mark struggles to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of parenting. He often avoids hard conversations, choosing silence over saying the wrong thing. This avoidance makes him feel like a failure. “I can’t keep doing this,” he thinks, “but I don’t know where to start.”
Rebuilding Mastery: Learning to Listen
Coaching helped Mark identify gaps in his parenting approach. He realized that while he excels at active listening at work, he wasn’t applying the same principles at home. With practice, Mark started asking open-ended questions like, “What’s been the best part of your day?” or “How can I help?”
These small changes had a profound impact. His son began opening up about struggles at school, and their relationship grew stronger. Mark started to feel like a leader at home—not because he was in control, but because he was fostering trust and connection.
Losing Purpose: “Why Am I Doing All This?”
Despite his professional success, Mark began questioning his motivation. “I spend all day solving other people’s problems, but does it even matter?” At home, the same doubts crept in. His long hours weren’t bringing his family happiness—if anything, they were pulling him further away.
One Saturday, he watched his wife play soccer in the yard with their kids. Mark sat on the sidelines, his laptop open, catching up on work. For the first time, he felt like a spectator in his own life.
Rediscovering Purpose: Aligning values with Decision-Making
During coaching, Mark revisited his core values. He realized that his purpose was rooted in building strong, supportive communities—at work and at home. This clarity gave him a new perspective: his role as a father wasn’t separate from his role as a leader; it was an extension of it.
He began setting aside weekends for family adventures—hiking trails, exploring museums, or just having a lazy pancake breakfast. Mark’s favorite moment came when his daughter said, “You’re so much more fun now, Dad.”
The Transformation
Today, Mark is no longer juggling two lives. By regaining autonomy, he has control over his time and energy. By cultivating mastery, he’s built stronger relationships at home. And by reconnecting with his purpose, he leads his family with the same passion and intention he brings to his team at work.
Mark’s journey wasn’t about becoming a perfect father or professional—it was about aligning who he is across every part of his life.
Are You Ready to Align Your Life?
Mark’s story is a powerful reminder that growth is possible when we prioritize what matters most. If you’re a professional father seeking to lead with energy and purpose at work and home, Core Energy Coaching can help. Start your transformation today.
Click here for a Free Discovery Session and begin creating better decisions today!