How does becoming a parent impact your work? Malta’s business leaders open up

For many business leaders, work is more than a job – it’s a calling. But when parenthood enters the picture, even the most driven minds often find themselves pausing, reflecting, and realigning their values.

Two Maltese entrepreneurs, David Seisun and Martina Zammit, recently took to LinkedIn to share how becoming parents has impacted their lives – not only personally, but professionally.

“Just presence"

David Seisun, Co-Founder and CEO of Buddy, announced that he will be going completely offline for two weeks to welcome his first daughter. For the tech founder, this wasn’t a spontaneous decision, but one rooted in preparation, purpose, and deep respect for the momentous change ahead.

“Tomorrow, I begin the most important chapter of my life,” he wrote. “My wife and I are expecting our first daughter – and for her first two weeks in this world, I’ve chosen to go completely offline. No Slack. No emails. No messages. No notifications. Just presence.”

Mr Seisun acknowledged that stepping away from a business – especially during such a pivotal moment in his company’s growth – required foresight and team trust.

“I’ve spent the last few months preparing both mentally and operationally – ensuring the team is empowered and supported to run things without me.”

He closed his announcement with a heartfelt message to his team, clients, and wife, expressing gratitude for making this pause possible and meaningful.

“Success looked different”

For Martina Zammit, Co-Founder of creative agency V Squared, motherhood brought a profound internal shift. She candidly recalled answering emails just an hour before giving birth and believing she’d bounce back to work immediately. But then she met her daughter, Bea – and everything changed.

“Suddenly, success looked different. My pace changed. My priorities changed. My why changed.”

Ms Zammit's post spoke to many working mothers who feel the pressure to “return to normal” after giving birth, only to find that their definition of normal has changed.

“Carrying a life inside me and meeting my daughter for the first time filled me with a kind of gratitude, love, and clarity I had never known before,” she shared.
“This next chapter isn’t about ‘bouncing back.’ It’s about showing up with even deeper purpose.”

Both posts challenge traditional notions of leadership in Malta’s business scene – particularly the idea that stepping away or slowing down diminishes one’s drive or ambition. On the contrary, both Mr Seisun and Ms Zammit illustrate how becoming a parent can lead to a more grounded, present, and intentional form of leadership.