Paternity Leave Insights: Chief of Staff on Work-Life Balance as a New Father
Eric Williams is juggling a lot. As a Chief of Staff, COO, founder, and now a new dad, he’s living the reality many leaders face—balancing a demanding career with personal life. Eric opened up about how paternity leave changed his approach to work and leadership. Here’s what stood out.
Key Takeaways
Burnout is real, and common. Many leaders only reach out for help after years of stress, burnout, or crisis in their personal lives.
Systematizing and delegating are game-changers. Creating clear processes allows leaders to offload tasks without losing quality.
Leadership identity must evolve. Shifting from "doer" to "builder" is key for growth and sustainability.
Notable Quotes
"If you can't recover tomorrow, you're setting yourself up for failure."
"You’re not just building a business—you’re building a life that works for you."
"Sometimes entrepreneurs create a job for themselves, not a business."
Real-World Applications
Time Audit for Leaders:
Example: A founder working 80+ hours a week does a calendar review and realizes 10 hours can be delegated to an ops manager.Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):
Example: Instead of training each new hire live, a leader records a walkthrough and creates a checklist to use again and again.Redefine “Success” Post-Parenthood:
Example: After taking paternity leave, a COO blocks off afternoons twice a week for family time, even during launch cycles.
Being a new parent doesn’t mean you have to choose between family and leadership. Eric Williams shows that with the right mindset and systems, you can lead effectively, avoid burnout, and be present at home. It’s not easy, but it’s possible—and necessary—for long-term success.
Time Stamps:
00:25 Meet Eric Williams
01:15 Challenges and Solutions in Leadership
04:23 The Importance of Systematizing and Delegating
13:20 Streamlining Workloads for Overwhelmed Leaders
26:56 Sustainable Leadership: Pacing Yourself
28:15 Handling Unexpected Challenges
32:00 Staying in the Game: Long-Term Success
36:09 Health and Fitness: A Personal Analogy
37:36 Sustainable Growth and Opportunities
40:43 Optimizing Your Business for Success
Links Mentioned:
Eric Williams' Website: https://willity.com/
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.