HAPPY LITTLE MOMENTS
Motherhood and Leadership: The Hidden Strengths of Motherhood in Business
Recently, I was at a family Thanksgiving dinner, and I was juggling all three of my little ones. My two-year-old was crying because he couldn’t be with his daddy in the 30-degree weather outside. My seven-year-old was impatiently waiting for me to put a toy together for her, and my five-year-old was feeling left out. So he decided my lap was the best place to be.
Did I mention I’m trying to reason with a toddler about the cold while fixing a toy? Cue the waterworks – and I’m not just talking about the kids.
If you’re a mom, I’m willing to put money down that you have had a similar experience. Our kids’ crazy antics, theatrics, and inability to “read the room” can sometimes be both hilarious and downright frustrating. Yet, we somehow learn to respond with grace, even in the midst of a mini-crisis (whether real or just another toddler meltdown over a missing toy).
Even though it sometimes feels like our kids are testing our patience at every turn, we are also picking up mom skills that are incredibly valuable in our careers, leadership, and business. Let me explain…
How are Motherhood Skills and Leadership Skills related?
At first glance, working with small children and leading a team may seem worlds apart. However, the core skills required for success in parenting and business are surprisingly similar. Both roles demand resilience, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire and guide others.
Increasingly, businesses are beginning to recognize the value of these “soft skills” in leadership. As organizations are becoming more collaborative and empathetic, the skills developed in motherhood are becoming more important than ever.
The reality is that my chaotic Thanksgiving story of managing three small children isn’t too far off from what we often face in the workplace. As a working mom and business owner, I’ve realized that leading a team and wrangling a bunch of kids are very similar.
To be clear, my goal isn’t to compare employees to small children, but if you’ve ever been a manager, you know that there are some undeniable parallels. Just like our kids, our team members don’t always see the big picture or the million moving parts we’re juggling.
The truth is that all those mom skills you’ve been learning at home can actually get you ready for leadership roles. Motherhood is the ultimate crash course in gaining leadership superpowers.
So, let’s dive into these amazing skills you’ve been learning without even realizing it. You may be more prepared for that corner office than you think!
Motherhood and the Hidden strengths in Leadership
Endless Patience
If you’ve survived a toddler’s passionate campaign for apple juice at 7 AM, you can handle pretty much anything your team throws your way that day. Who else has negotiated with a tiny human who thinks they should have four cups of juice for breakfast? (This was literally my morning). Only mothers understand this level of negotiation.
The good news is the patience you’ve developed through motherhood can be one of your secret leadership weapons, if you choose.
Managing a team isn’t that different from managing children with big emotions and even bigger demands.
You may be onboarding a new employee who asks the same question five different ways. Or you may be coaching an employee through a slow-moving project. Sometimes progress feels slower than a toddler putting on winter boots. These moments will test your patience in ways that feel awfully similar to explaining why we can’t have ice cream for dinner. (Wait, did your Elf-on-the-Shelf “magically” negotiate this deal, too?)
But here’s the real magic – you’ve already been training for these leadership challenges through parenting. Before most people have finished their first cup of coffee, you’ve:
- Answered 317 questions
- Negotiated meal portions with a “tiny terrorist”
- Managed multiple emotional meltdowns
- Solved complex logistical challenges
Your morning routine is basically a leadership masterclass.
When an employee struggles to grasp a concept or a project hits unexpected roadblocks, you can use the same patience you use at home. But at work, you’re getting paid for your superhuman ability to remain calm and guide others.
So don’t be afraid to step up when someone asks if you can lead a team. Remember, you’ve been leading small, unpredictable humans for years. Leading a professional team? That’s practically a vacation.
Communication Skills and emotional Intelligence
Let’s talk about communication—one of the most critical skills you sharpen through the art of being a mom. And yes, it is more of an art form than a science.
Every mom knows that communicating with kids requires creativity, flexibility, and the patience of a saint. But the communication skills you develop as a mom are pure gold when it comes to leadership and management roles.
In today’s world, where AI tools are rapidly taking over many tasks, soft skills like communication and emotional intelligence are becoming more valuable than ever. Simply having knowledge or perceived authority isn’t as valuable as it once was—what sets great leaders apart is their ability to connect with others on a human level.
And if there’s one thing motherhood teaches you, it’s how to connect.
Why Communication Is Key in Motherhood and Leadership
When dealing with your kids, you quickly learn that clear and simple instructions are necessary for survival. If your directions are too vague or too complicated, your five-year-old isn’t going to clean their room. However, over time, you get really good at making your expectations clear (and yes, often repeating yourself over and over again—all humans typically need to hear things more than once) while keeping everything age-appropriate.
In the workplace, hopefully, you don’t need to explain things on a five-year-old’s level (although sometimes that is debatable). But the ability to make your expectations clear and explain your ideas and vision (repeatedly) is crucial to leading a team. Clear communication eliminates confusion, reduces mistakes, and makes sure everyone is on the same page.
But there’s even more to this massive and critical skill. Moms also become experts at reading between the lines.
When your child is throwing a tantrum over getting a red cup over a blue one, you know it’s not really about the cup. They may be telling you they need more choice or independence. Or they may be telling you they’re tired, hungry, or just overwhelmed. But you know it’s not really about the cup.
As a mom, you learn to listen, watch body language, and address the real cause of an emotional problem.
The same can be said of great leaders or managers. They don’t just hear their employees; they listen and watch. They pick up on the subtle cues and understand what their team members really need. Then, they work to solve the deeper issues, as well as address the surface level ones.
These aren’t just parenting skills you learned while appeasing your two-year-old. Motherhood doesn’t just prepare you for life—it prepares you to be an amazing leader.
Adaptability and Flexibility
“When something goes wrong in your life, just yell ‘Plot Twist’ and move on.” ~ Molly Weis
As a working mom, how many times a day does your life take a plot twist? If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably lost count before your first cup of coffee even kicks in. Our kids have an uncanny talent for throwing curveballs at our perfectly laid-out plans.
However, motherhood gives us a huge advantage in adaptability. We’ve learned to expect the unexpected, embrace the chaos, and somehow still come out on top.
How many times have you had to completely reschedule your day because your child woke up with a fever? Or what about that time you planned the perfect outdoor birthday party, only for it to rain for the first time in weeks?
But as moms, instead of crumbling, we get creative, problem-solve, and make it work.
The ability to roll with the punches isn’t just good for managing tantrums and meltdowns. The ability to pivot is an immense advantage in today’s work environment. The business world is constantly throwing curveballs – market shifts, technology changes, last-minute client demands. But it’s just another Tuesday for you.
The next time your career hands you something unexpected, resist the urge to panic and channel your inner mom. Take a deep breath, yell “Plot twist!” (or maybe just do that in your head), and tackle the challenge head-on.
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Here’s another likely family scenario – you’re getting breakfast ready and then… you hear screaming coming from your playroom. Your five-year-old’s Lincoln Log masterpiece has just been demolished by your two-year-old’s dinosaur impression. Cue the tears and your silent prayer for more coffee.
And in that moment, in spite of the chaos, you prevent an all-out war from happening before breakfast.
As moms, we’ve brokered deals over who gets the last cookie, mediated disputes over toy ownership, and negotiated bedtime agreements daily.
Your job as a mom is emotional management and finding win-win solutions in every situation. “You can play with the dinosaur for five more minutes, and then it’s your brother’s turn.” Compromise achieved. “If you eat three more bites of broccoli, you can have dessert.” Negotiation mastered.
Have you ever had to convince a toddler to wear pants?
The ability to work through these situations with grace and patience is what sets great leaders apart. And you’ve been practicing these skills every single day in the trenches of motherhood.
So the next time you’re faced with tough negotiation at work, remind yourself: “I’ve got this. I’ve prevented wars over Legos. I can handle anything.”
Time Management and Prioritization
Have you ever noticed how moms seem to be able to manipulate time itself? As mothers, we become masters at getting things done–and fast. If you want something done? Ask a mom.
For instance, it’s noon and your toddler just went down for a nap. You have a HUGE to-do list. So what do you do? You channel your inner superhero.
In the short span of about two hours, you’ll somehow manage to fold three loads of laundry, prep dinner, answer all your work emails, schedule doctor’s appointments, and maybe even squeeze in a quick shower. All while moving so quietly you’d put a ninja to shame.
THIS is mom-level time management and prioritization. And it’s a skill we’ve had to develop out of necessity. Because if we didn’t, our homes would be condemned and our careers would be in shambles.
You’ve got your kids’ needs, your work responsibilities, household chores, social obligations, and somewhere in there, you’re supposed to find time for self-care.
But you know what? We get it done. Why? Because we’ve learned the art of ruthless prioritization. We know that sometimes the dishes can wait, but that work deadline can’t. We know that while it would be nice to alphabetize the spice rack, making sure the kids are fed and happy is more important.
As mothers, we’re squeezing productivity out of every spare minute.
In the business world, time is of the essence. And we moms are used to operating in a very time-scarce environment every moment of every day. We know how to prioritize tasks and meet important goals and deadlines. So when you’re feeling overwhelmed at work, remember you’ve got mom-powers.
We don’t just manage time; we bend it to our will. We don’t just prioritize; we optimize every second of every day. If you want something done right, and done on time, you don’t call Superman. You call a mom.
Motherhood and Leadership Skills: Application to Real Life
So far, we’ve talked about all these amazing skills you’ve developed as a mom, but let’s address the elephant in the room: applying these skills in the workplace isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it might feel like trying to wrangle a toddler on a sugar high.
Challenges:
First of all, there’s often a “mom bias” thing. A subtle (or maybe not-so-subtle) assumption that because you’re a mom, you’re somehow less committed. But the truth is, you still want to have that awesome career and you may be even more ambitious than you were before having kids.
Then there’s the challenge of translating your mom skills into “business speak.” Don’t put “successfully negotiated with a tiny terrorist over bedtime” on your resume. We all know that won’t go well. However, it is important to reframe your experiences into applicable skills. That bedtime negotiation? We call that conflict resolution and persuasive communication.
And we can’t leave out mom guilt–when you’re at work, you feel guilty for not being with your kids. When you’re with your kids, you feel guilty for thinking about work. It’s a constant cycle that’s difficult to get out of.
And then there’s the energy factor. After a full day of work followed by homework, bath time, and bedtime stories, taking on extra work or projects may feel as appealing as stepping on a Lego barefoot.
But despite all these challenges, you’ve got this. You’re a mom, for crying out loud. You’ve handled projectile vomit while on a conference call. You’ve mediated sibling wars that make office politics look like a tea party. You’re way more capable than you think.
The key is to own your mom skills with confidence. When someone questions your commitment, remind them (and yourself) that you are more efficient, more empathetic, and more capable of handling multiple priorities than ever before.
When you’re struggling to translate your mom experiences into workplace skills, be creative. Remember when you organized a birthday party for 30 kids? That’s event planning and logistics management. Or what about your knack for handling your child’s meltdowns? These are excellent skills in emotional intelligence.
As for the mom guilt, remember that you’re showing your kids what it looks like to be a strong, capable woman both at home and at work. That’s something to be proud of, not guilty about.
And when your energy is running low, remember that you are much stronger than you give yourself credit.
So yes, applying your motherhood and leadership skills in the workplace can be challenging. But so is motherhood. These challenges are just another opportunity for you to show the world who you are and what you’re made of. After all, you’re not just a mom and not just an employee or a business owner. You’re a mom who’s bringing valuable skills to the table.
Conclusion: Embracing Your Motherhood Superpowers in Leadership
Now, you see the many similarities between motherhood and leadership. I hope it’s becoming clear to you that many of the skills you’ve gained as a mom are more than just “home management.”
Arguably, many of the skills you’ve learned as a parent can help you build an arsenal of leadership skills, if you choose to use them that way.
From the patience you’ve gained during endless “why” questions to your flexibility in handling last-minute school projects, every challenge you’ve faced as a mother has been building your skillset. Your ability to communicate clearly, manage multiple priorities, and adapt to ever-changing situations can be applied to any career or business.
Remember, the next time you’re doubting your capabilities, think about how you’ve successfully negotiated with a stubborn toddler or prevented an all-out war in your own home. The key is to recognize that many of your mom skills are also valuable leadership skills.
By embracing these skills, you can offer a more empathetic, flexible, and effective leadership style in the workplace. Don’t shy away from the parallels between your experiences as a working mom and the challenges you face in the workforce. Instead, lean into them.