There’s a secret weapon successful business leaders use to their advantage when it comes to top talent — MOM. No, it’s not an acronym for a biowarfare tool or a top-secret government organization. It’s just “mom,” as in mother, mum, mommy, mama, madre.
Okay, so maybe it’s not really a secret – it certainly shouldn’t be – but it might not be apparent just how much of an advantage motherhood can offer for leadership potential and employers. If for no other reason than necessity, mothers are usually great leaders, decision makers, and problem solvers. Most reasonable professionals are probably baffled that we still need to make this point in this day and age, and rightfully so. And yet the advantage and the potential of mothers in the workplace is overlooked so often that it might as well be a secret!
For most of us, mom’s face was the first thing we ever laid eyes on. We didn’t know it yet, but she would lead us to the best of her ability – sometimes with little to no resources or help when she needed it most. Have you seen your mom in her natural habitat? If that’s not an example of excellent leadership and management, I don’t know what is.
Can you imagine having the toughest job in the world? Where quitting isn’t an option and you’re always on the clock, working for the most demanding boss there is?! Welcome to the #momlife, where leaders are created over thousands of tears, bottles of wine, and impossible challenges – all to develop and nurture the most valuable thing on Earth. Oh, and don’t expect a paycheck, either (quite the opposite!).
We can all agree that being a mom is one of the most honorable jobs one can have. And it’s clear to see why motherhood can be such a powerful teacher of leadership lessons. Here are just a few of the reasons we ought to see more moms in the C-suite:
- Power decision making – A mom doesn’t hesitate because she knows that procrastination is not her friend. She has the ability to quickly assess the situation and make decisions. Otherwise, she’ll be in for more work or bigger challenges in the end. She knows what’s at stake and if she is unsure, she will find the answer. Mom will never leave you hanging with indecision.
- Mastery of creative problem solving – Mothers have honed their problem-solving skills through years of navigating an incredibly diverse range of challenges. Their creativity in solving challenges has resulted in many important inventions we use every day: marine signal flares, coffee cup filters, liquid paper, the original Murphy bed — moms created those. Mom often finds new solutions to old problems, because her mind is always focused on how she can improve our lives and become more efficient. Now, what company wouldn’t want these qualities on their executive team?
- Excellent teaching and mentoring skills– It’s a natural ability that seems to magically appear after childbirth or after adopting a child. What she is able to accomplish at home with her children and the lessons she learned from it is valuable wisdom that she translates to the workplace. Her experience as a mother makes her more empathetic to the needs of her colleagues. This sage-like quality is one that every organization should have on their team.
Moms are often the embodiment of the values that organizations are founded upon. They do the right thing always, they are passionate, they take ownership in everything that they do, and they are forever curious. Mothers aren’t just great leaders themselves, they create and develop the next generation of leaders, too. Moms will always push you to reach your full potential, so you can become your best self and bring value to the world. Come to think of it, maybe MOM is an acronym after all — Mothers Of Movers.
