The Father Behind the Partner: Ariel’s Reflections on Fatherhood and Leadership

With Father’s Day just around the corner, Ariel looks back on the shared lessons of being a Partner and a dad. 
 
A lot has happened in the last two years since I became a Partner at P&A Grant Thornton and a first-time father—two incredible blessings that I’m deeply thankful to God for. Stepping into this new chapter has filled me with excitement, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose. Balancing the demands of work and family life hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been deeply rewarding. Each day brings new challenges, but also new perspectives—ones that have shaped how I lead, how I listen, and how I grow.

As a second-year Partner and father, I’ve learned to see things with more clarity and balance. I see the importance of being present, listening more, and appreciating even the smallest progress. I’ve become more understanding, more balanced, and more focused on building strong foundations. My experience has changed my perception of leadership.

Being a dad taught me the importance of leading by example. At home, I’ve learned that children don’t just listen to what we say—they watch what we do. That same idea applies to leadership at work: my actions set the tone. It has helped me become a more compassionate and thoughtful leader, focused not just on results, but on people and their growth. It has also taught me to be more patient, more present, and more understanding. I’ve learned how important it is to listen, to guide without controlling, and to support others as they grow. These lessons have helped me build stronger connections with my team and lead with more care and purpose.

In some aspects, leading a team is similar to raising a child—both involve guidance and care. As a Partner, I guide people and help my team grow by encouraging independence and supporting them through challenges. Just like a father, I celebrate my team’s success, help them learn from mistakes, and create a safe environment where they can develop confidence and reach their full potential.

Balancing these two roles is not easy. It’s not always perfect, but it’s my way of prioritizing what matters. There are compromises, such as when I’m on business trips—especially out-of-town or out-of-country. There were certain milestones in my son’s life that I wasn’t able to witness. But when I’m at home, I make sure to spend time with him. I believe that presence and communication make our relationship stronger.

Looking back to my role model, one lesson I learned from my father is to be persistent—never give up, even when things get tough. He taught me that challenges are part of life, but with hard work and determination, you can overcome them. That mindset has helped me stay strong through difficult times, both in business and in personal life, and reminds me to always push forward.

Happy Father’s Day to all my fellow dads in the workplace! I want to shout out all the fathers who are doing their best to balance work and family, even when there are sacrifices. These sacrifices are choices that reflect your love and dedication. It’s not always easy, and the balance isn’t always perfect, but every effort counts. Every effort or sacrifice you make is shaping a stronger future for your family and those you lead.

And to Lyght, my curious, charming, and approachable son: if you’re reading this in the future, I want to say that I love you and I’m always here to support you in achieving your goals in life. I will continue to guide you and pray for you. Always be healthy. Keep on smiling and enjoy your life!