"It's been a while since I started my role at Olivia, Noah & Co. as a Father/Homemaker, but I wanted to share this update with everyone." LinkedIn auto-generated the above, short and simple, and captures the sentiment perfectly. We were at an event for our kid's school recently, and in typical small talk, the So... what do you two do for a living question came up. I'd start by telling a story of all the facets of my professional world; then my wife would say, "I stay home with the kids," and then we'd move on to the next awkward small talk topic. My wife has one of the most important jobs, yet it comes off as a footnote - which is incredibly backward. My wife is the one who really has the dynamic, demanding, challenging, always on the job. Yet, no one ever asks her more about her profession. When did parenting become a footnote, something we must apologize for when they have questions in the middle of a meeting or constantly compete for our presence and attention? Please don't take this as an attack; it's me too. I can be so occupied that I exchange fleeting moments with those I love to get one more email out or defend my point on Slack. This is my manifestation to the world that my role in our home is at least equally important as my profession. I plan to make it (them) more important. I hope, wish, and pray that everyone who works for or with me takes this seriously; you and your family should always come first - please don't apologize when little voices are in the background - please don't apologize for taking a Friday off to drive up the coast with your daughter for a hockey game - please don't apologize the Slack message or email was not immediately responded to. The environment I want for anyone who works with or around me is you at your best and fullest - that only happens when we don't feel like we have to leave or abandon the most important pieces of who you are. I know the messages that I will get, that this is a reckless post; I say it isn't more reckless to abandon and deprioritize our most essential commitments - would we tolerate that "recklessness" with our professional commitments? Leaders go first, right? This is me going first and giving permission to those in my circle to choose more balance. If work stresses you out, check out and check in with your families, your friends, and yourself. I'm confident and can speak from going first; the perspective you'll return with will unlock brilliant productivity. Here's to balance and brilliant productivity. To the moon friends, DK