Empowering Dads, Enriching Families

Career Paths and Parenthood: How Lead Dads Handle Career Advancement

A "Dad Guide" for Dads Balancing Career & Fatherhood

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Choosing to be a Lead Dad shouldn’t mean putting your career on hold – but for many men, that’s the unspoken trade-off. Whether you’re managing school drop-offs between meetings or turning down networking events to coach a game, this guide is for you.
In Career Paths and Parenthood: How Lead Dads Handle Career Advancement, we take an honest look at the uphill battle working fathers face – from outdated workplace expectations to the silent stigma around prioritizing family.
Just as importantly, we explore what’s possible when companies, culture, and caregivers align – where fatherhood and career success aren’t mutually exclusive.
Inside, you’ll find:
  • Real-life stories and case studies from Lead Dads navigating career growth
  • Insight into the hidden challenges: missed opportunities, perceived commitment issues, and burnout
  • Research-backed data from Deloitte, McKinsey, Boston College, and more
  • Tangible strategies for managing career advancement while staying present at home
This guidebook isn’t just about surviving the juggle. It’s about pushing for change, redefining norms, and proving that being a present father and a driven professional can go hand in hand.
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What is a Lead Dad?

Lead Dads are men who are the go-to parents, whether they work full time, part time, or devote all their time to their families. They support their spouse’s careers, change diapers, plan pediatrician appointments, and generally get stuff done. They may feel isolated but there are over 25 million of them in America today. That’s a third of all fathers.

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About the Company of Dads

The Company of Dads is a community and an advocate for the Dad who is the lead parent in his family. We call him a Lead Dad. It can be a lonely role at home and an undercover one at work. We offer resources, support, and community, so Lead Dads feel connected to other men doing the same thing. We go to bat for Lead Dads in the community and within companies. Small changes in perception or policy can have a big impact, and taken together they can help families fulfill their full potential.

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