As a wife, mother, full-time employee and public servant, it is so wonderful when the following conversation occurs:

Me (calling my husband): “Hi, I just found out I am going to Washington, D.C. for four days.”

My husband: “That is awesome! Don’t worry about a thing – I’ll get the boys all taken care of. Just do what you need to do.”

There is truly no greater response than that.

No one prepared or explained to me how one of the most essential things for a wife and mother who also wants a great career is having a truly equal partner. We all receive some form of “success checklist”: undergraduate degree, internships, volunteering, master’s degree, read a long list of business and leadership books, learn a new language, exercise, pray — the list goes on and on. Not until recently has a greater emphasis been placed on the importance of an equal partnership at home as a way to encourage success.

Sheryl Sandberg has a chapter dedicated to this topic in her book, “Lean In.” it is re-emphasized in her book “Lean In for Graduates.” For the young women out there, pay attention – this truly is an essential component to achieving the goals you seek in life.

There is nothing more frustrating than having to decline an opportunity that could help your career because you don’t have the help you need at home. This becomes an even larger issue when you have children. But if you have a partner that takes an equal share of the work and is supportive of your career, things fall in line much easier for both of you. Equal partnership enables you both to be successful at your personal goals.

What is amazing about this conversation, though, is what often occurs on the partner’s side.

Occasionally, you might be the recipient of ridicule from others who don’t understand why a man would pick up the kids from daycare, help prepare dinner, be a stay-at-home father, get groceries or do laundry.

These men need to be celebrated and not ridiculed.

Sandberg acknowledged this again when she launched a new campaign called #LeanInTogether. This campaign helps support the men who support us. It is a great acknowledgement of all those equal partners out there and showcases what they do to support their spouse. This campaign even goes beyond the role of the spouse and celebrates parents, mentors and leaders who all played a role in helping the women in their lives fulfill their goals and dreams. There are photos and descriptions from around the world of all these individuals “leaning in together.”

While the conversation grows and we give more recognition and support to our partners behind the scenes, I hope the young women out there are watching. I hope they add “an equal and supportive partner” to their success checklist. 

Sara Kurovski, a graduate of Truman State University with her master’s degree in public administration, was elected the first female mayor of Pleasant Hill in November 2013 and the youngest in Greater Des Moines, earning her story national recognition in Sheryl Sandberg’s book, “Lean In for Graduates.” After working for Metro Waste Authority for eight years she became Kum & Go’s manager of sustainability in 2014. Kurovski also is a member of the Business Record’s 2015 Forty Under 40 class. She lives in Pleasant Hill with her husband, Todd, and two children.

CONNECTION POINTS

Contact Sara by email, or connect with her on Facebook and LinkedIn. She can also be reached by phone at (515) 720-6654.