Bluey Taught Me the Similarities Between Leadership and Parenting
- Written by: Carly Riewoldt
It feels strange to say that as of late, my most profound leadership insights haven’t come from business books or management retreats. They’ve come from watching Bluey with my kids. Yes, that Bluey. The animated Australian cattle dog whose family adventures have won over children and parents alike. Between the giggles and heartwarming moments, I’ve discovered something remarkable: the fundamentals of leadership and parenting are essentially the same. When you think about it, leading a team can be a lot like raising children; just with fewer tantrums.
While watching these seven-minute episodes, I’ve recognised that whether you’re raising children or developing a team, you’re guiding humans toward becoming their best selves. And in both realms, three fundamental things stand out.
3 principles of parenting and leadership
1. Modelling the behaviour you want to see
In the Muffin Cone episode, Bluey’s younger sister, Bingo, takes on the role of a parent while playing with her cousin Muffin. Bingo, who’s still a kid herself, attempts to lead Muffin in a game of pretend, full of enthusiasm but struggling to explain the “why” behind the rules. When Muffin refuses to follow along, Bingo learns that simply declaring rules isn’t enough.
This mirrors what I see in our leadership workshops every day. Actions speak louder than words. If you want your team to be accountable, productive, and collaborative, you need to demonstrate those values yourself. People follow what you do more than what you say. When leaders expect punctuality but arrive late to meetings, or preach work-life balance while sending midnight emails, the disconnect is felt immediately. Just as children notice when parents enforce rules they don’t follow themselves.
2. Setting clear expectations and being accountable
In the Daddy Drop Off episode, Bandit, Bluey’s dad, has a day to himself. However, when his kids tag along and try to “help” with his errands, he must balance his personal plans with clear guidance for his children. Without crushing their enthusiasm or being too lenient, he redirects their energy toward constructive participation.
Similarly, team members thrive when they know what’s expected of them. Vague directions create anxiety and wasted effort. Leadership teams transform when they move from fuzzy objectives to crystal-clear expectations. Structure is liberating. Like children who feel secure with consistent boundaries, employees perform better when goals and timelines are obvious.
3. Enrolling others in the bigger picture
The Pool episode shows Bandit and Chilli, Bluey’s mum, trying to convince reluctant daughters to get out of the car and swim. Rather than just ordering them out, they actively enroll the girls by making the pool seem exciting and appealing.
This perfectly illustrates what distinguishes great leadership. At Authentic Leaders Group, when we facilitate team immersions, the breakthrough often comes when leaders stop dictating tasks and start sharing the “why.” Understanding how our contribution fits into the larger vision adds an entirely new level of commitment.
The ripple effect
Both good parenting and good leadership can have an immense impact. You won’t always get it right, and that’s okay. The growth happens in the trying, the reflecting, and the adjusting.
When we bring humanity back into leadership with vulnerability, playfulness, clear boundaries, and shared purpose, we create environments where people can truly flourish. And like the lessons embedded in a seemingly simple children’s show, these principles ripple outward, affecting not just our immediate teams but everyone they touch.
At ALG, we believe transformative leadership isn’t about grand gestures but the consistent, authentic practice of these principles. And sometimes, the best leadership training might be sitting on your couch, watching a cartoon blue heeler navigate family life with humour, patience, and love.