Let’s be real: work-life integration isn’t a tightrope, it’s a seesaw. And sometimes, one side is just going to be heavier. That’s not failure. That’s life. In a recent Vista podcast conversation with Nalini Prasad, Chief Strategy Officer at BluShark Digital, she reminded us just how nuanced and messy it is to be both a leader and a parent, especially when those two journeys unfold side by side. Nalini stepped into an executive leadership role just weeks before discovering she was pregnant, after years of trying and finally letting go of the expectation. That moment, filled with excitement and uncertainty, set the stage for a story many working parents know all too well: How do you build a career while building a family?
I face that question every day. I’m a mom to two little girls, ages four and one. Many say I have my hands full. But call me crazy: I love it! My life is beyond full. I even want more kids someday! That said, there are hard days, many of them. I often feel pulled in two directions. I want to be fully present as a mom, and I also want to be fully present as Chief of Team here at Vista.
So the question that lingers is…
How do you build a career while building a family?
I didn’t write this blog to give you all the answers, because honestly, I do not have them. My goal is simply to leave you with a few important questions:
I ask myself these questions often, especially when I feel like I’m failing at both work and motherhood. Work still has to get done. The bills still need to be paid. And yet, our families need healthy, present parents, too. “I probably didn’t enjoy my first pregnancy as much as I could have,” Nalini shared. “I put all my priority on work.” Sound familiar? There’s still this outdated narrative that successful people, especially women, have to choose between their family and their career. And if you try to do both, you’re expected to do each one perfectly. But nobody is doing it all, at least not without a serious cost.
For me, work-life integration is about pouring into what matters most in any given season. Sometimes it's work. Sometimes it’s your family. And sometimes, you’re just trying to make sure no one ends up at daycare in two left shoes while your inbox explodes. As Nalini said so well: “You must be honest with yourself. Don’t set yourself up to resent either side.” That kind of honesty with ourselves, our family, and our team is what makes space for real, sustainable success. Let’s stop treating parenthood like a professional handicap. It's not. Let’s stop assuming ambition dies in the delivery room. It doesn't. The messiness of life doesn’t make someone less qualified. It makes them more human. And humanity? That’s exactly what the modern workplace needs more of.
If you’re a manager or decision-maker, don’t make assumptions about someone’s capabilities or commitment just because they’re growing a family. We talk a lot about the “motherhood penalty,” but dads deserve the space to be parents, too. A culture that supports people as whole humans benefits everyone, not just the parents. We often joke at Vista that the world would be a better place if everyone were just a good human! Be one! When’s the last time you, as a leader, asked a father how he’s managing work-life integration? My guess is it’s probably been a while. Let’s change that.
So, what’s the answer to all of this? I believe one of the most powerful solutions is communication. As with most challenges organizations face, better communication can make a significant difference. More transparent, authentic, and open communication fosters trust, aligns teams, and helps address issues before they escalate. When people feel heard and informed, collaboration improves, and solutions become easier to find.
If you’re hiring, promoting, or managing, create space for people to say, “I’m expecting,” without fearing they’ll be benched. And if you’re the one navigating new parenthood, be honest about your bandwidth. It’s okay to say: “This is a season where I need to prioritize differently.” That honesty builds trust. And if it doesn’t? Then, it might be time to ask whether you’re in the right place. At the end of the day, work-life integration is giving yourself permission to live a life that’s both ambitious and deeply personal. It’s making space for the messy, beautiful reality of being a parent and a professional, without apology.
We need more leaders willing to share the hard parts. We need more workplaces that make room for real life. And we need more people brave enough to ask, "What matters most to me, and how can I honor that today?" Vulnerability is a profound strength, especially when navigating the complexities of work-life integration. It allows us to release the pressure of perfection and instead focus on authenticity. Sharing challenges, admitting struggles, or acknowledging limitations is a powerful invitation for connection and understanding. By being honest and vulnerable, we show others that it's okay to live fully and imperfectly. This simple act of candor can build a culture that values empathy over impossible standards. This honesty fosters not just stronger relationships, but also workplaces that respect the whole person, making space for both ambition and humanity to coexist.
So, whether you’re a parent in the thick of it or a leader shaping the culture around you, remember you don’t have to choose one version of yourself. You’re allowed to be all of you.
That’s not failure. That is a life fully lived.
