As our kids get older, something subtle shifts.
The long snuggles become quick hugs. The need is still there… it just looks different.
One thing I’ve started practicing with my kids is simple:
When we hug, I don’t let go first. I wait until they do.
It’s my quiet way of saying, you can take what you need here.
And it’s also a way of making sure they actually get what they need.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much this applies to business ownership.
Business Ownership Is Not That Different
Owning and leading a business can feel a lot like parenting.
There are seasons where everything feels aligned… and seasons where it feels heavy.
You’re navigating:
- Clients or patients with complex needs and personalities
- Team dynamics, or losing key team members
- Being short-staffed and stretched thin
- The constant question of growth
- Are we busy enough?
- Are we too busy?
- And the very real presence of burnout, for both you and your team
And in the middle of all of that, many business owners are still trying to hold everything together without fully receiving support themselves.
So What Does “Holding the Hug” Look Like in Business?
It looks like not rushing past what you or your team actually need.
It’s resisting the instinct to fix, move on, or power through…
and instead creating space to stay long enough for support to land.
Because just like kids, adults often don’t say exactly what they need right away.
They need a little space. A little time. A little safety.
1. Stay in Conversations a Little Longer
When a team member brings something to you, it’s easy to jump to solutions.
But sometimes what they need first is to feel heard.
Instead of:
“Here’s what we’ll do.”
Try:
“Tell me more.”
“What’s been the hardest part of this?”
Holding the hug here means staying present long enough for the real issue to surface.
2. Normalize Support Instead of Independence
Many business owners pride themselves on being the one who holds everything together.
But what if strength looked like allowing yourself to be supported too?
This might look like:
- Having a consultant or coach who can hold space and offer perspective
- Building relationships with other business owners who understand the weight
- Letting your team step up in meaningful ways instead of carrying it all alone
You don’t have to let go of the hug first.
3. Create Micro-Moments of Care for Your Team
Your team is navigating their own version of pressure every day.
Holding the hug for them might look like:
- Checking in beyond tasks: “How are you doing this week?”
- Acknowledging effort, not just outcomes
- Giving them a moment to breathe after a hard interaction
These small moments build trust and resilience over time.
4. Pay Attention to What Energizes vs. Drains
Just like with our kids, you can often feel when something is off.
For yourself and your team, start noticing:
- Where energy increases
- Where it consistently drops
That awareness helps you adjust roles, systems, and expectations so people can operate from a more sustainable place.
5. Give Yourself Permission to Receive
This might be the hardest one.
As a business owner, you are often the one giving:
- Direction
- Support
- Stability
- Solutions
But you are still a person inside of that role.
Holding the hug for yourself means:
- Pausing long enough to recognize when you’re overwhelmed
- Asking for help before you hit burnout
- Letting someone else reflect your strengths back to you when you’ve lost sight of them
The Real Work
Business ownership is not just strategy and systems.
It’s people. It’s emotions. It’s energy.
And sometimes, it’s simply about staying in the moment long enough…
for yourself or someone else…
to actually get what they need.
So the question becomes:
Where in your business are you letting go too quickly?
And what might change if you held the hug just a little longer?
