5 Leadership Skills Working Moms Have on Lock
The writer and leadership expert, John Maxwell, once said that leadership is one life influencing another. We say that motherhood is interchangeable with leadership, both in the quote and in everyday life. Who else can shape the minds and lives of those around us in the powerful way a mother can? So if you‘re reentering the work field, applying for a promotion or just need a reminder that motherhood is a dynamic, 24-hours a day/7 days a week leadership training course with easily transferable skills that make you a stronger leader, then just read on for the top 5 leadership competencies that moms have on lock.
Communication. Communication may seem like a no brainer, but have you ever stopped to think how your communication style and techniques have evolved since you became a mother? And not just with your children, but think about how many more people you now communicate with because of your kids; school administrators and teachers, coaches, friends’ parents, doctors, other family members – not to mention, your partner or the parent of your child. Each person that you communicate with on a consistent basis has different communication styles and needs to be addressed. Additionally, you yourself may have changed your own communication style over time as your child has grown, and you have found the style that’s most effective to meet your needs and those around you. You may have started listening more, asking more questions, or developed a writing style that communicates simply but effectively due to time constraints. In a professional setting, communication is the most critical tool in the toolbox. To be good at doing something at work, but not being able to interact and communicate with those around you, is for nothing. Those that can communicate well AND recognize the communication needs of their colleagues are much more likely to find success in their job and be recognized as leaders.
Empathy. Truth time. How many of us, pre-motherhood, have been on a plane praying to the flight gods that the open seat next to us will not be filled by the screaming toddler (and his mother) you saw at the gate having a full blown tantrum? And how many of us promised ourselves that we would never be that parent that gave our kid an iPad at a restaurant just to enjoy a moment of peace? If you haven’t done either, that’s fantastic, really. Next question: How about now? After having kids, do you now see the mom struggling with luggage and a toddler that is in bad need of a nap, and maybe offer to help with her bag or at the very least, offer a smile so she sees a friendly face? Now do you bring your own iPad out with you just in case you want to enjoy a few more minutes with your partner before bedtime? There is no doubt that motherhood changes us. It allows us to find our more empathetic selves. Empathy refers to being able to understand another person’s feelings (but not necessarily sharing them). And in this new post-pandemic world, where we continue to see a mass exodus of women, especially moms, from the workforce, companies are in danger of losing critical minds if they do not find internal solutions. Many companies are now striving for a work environment that can thrive post-Covid: supporting family, work and personal needs. As moms and professionals we are able to lead by example, provide guidance and feedback and create a space where everyone (non-parents included) has the opportunity to thrive.
Innovation. Is there anyone that can think more outside the box (and without notice!) than a mom (with enough coffee!) that just found out that school is canceled and none of the toys, books, etc are adequate to fill the day? And yes, you still have that all-day Zoom meeting. Motherhood innovation is more than just creating another sensory box or repurposing a toilet paper roll, although both take quite a bit of creative juice. Innovation is also problem solving, often on-the fly, out-of-the-box thinking, and (this is key!) the courage to implement. Our drive to do and be better for our children opens our eyes to new possibilities, ideas and solutions. Think about the many products that have been created by mothers to make our lives easier, including these digital helpers created by our very own HeyMama members. At work, we can demand the same. We can offer a fresh perspective or a new approach. We can take the resources that are available and create something new. As leaders, we get into the trenches, and find solutions. And we do it all efficiently. Because as moms, we also have to get back home in time for homework help or soccer practice.
Building Trust. They say that if your kid behaves really well for others but pushes your buttons or flat out screams in your face, that it’s a sign that you’ve created a space for them where they feel safe and trust you. Take it or leave it. Most of us would probably prefer to leave it. However, there’s something to be said that as parents we try to cultivate an environment for our kids where they can come to us and tell us their hopes and dreams, and even their fears. That takes trust. When they are young, it may seem easier. They are fed, cleaned, and carried. As they get older, we keep building that trust. We ask questions. We watch and listen. We trust our instincts and make decisions for the best interest of our children. Sometimes the decisions we make are not easy and sometimes they are not what our children want, but if we are doing it with them in mind and with a relationship based on trust, we persevere. The same goes for our time at work. As leaders, we have to first trust our instincts and then cultivate professional relationships built on trust. All organizations and teams are susceptible to challenging times, but great leaders fall back on trust to navigate the hardest of situations.
Resilience. Webster defines resilience as: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Which begs the question, is there a new “ultra”resilience word we should be using when it comes to parenting in the post-pandemic world? Before the pandemic, moms were already defining “resilience” in their day-to-day lives since motherhood is, after all, an adjustment to change from the prenatal to postpartum. Physical changes to the emotional and psychological take place and there’s no going back. And then came Covid. We were forced to adjust: work from home, teach our kids at home, do all the home things (at home), and maybe (if we had a second) find some “self-care” at home. This may not have been easy, but we did it. And to some degree we continue to do it still. And to some degree we continue to do it still. For better or worse, our resilience as mothers during these times has taken our planning, multitasking, organization, and adaptability skills set to new heights. Employees naturally look to optimistic, confident leaders that can provide constructive feedback, a comforting ear, and a solid action plan. As moms, this is our everyday life. And we‘re only getting better.
We can definitely continue with our list of why moms are amazing leaders. From multitasking, to organization skills, and just good old fashion patience, moms in leadership positions at work make the modern workplace better. So let‘s make sure we shout it from the rooftops, or at the very least, put it on our resumes.