Leadership Lessons From Motherhood
“Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
Leadership is a soft skill that is crucial to being a successful professional. Whether you are a corporate CEO, an entrepreneur, or even in an entry-level position, having strong leadership skills allows you to relate well with the individuals you oversee or work with and gain trust and support from colleagues and clients.
There are many ways to develop leadership skills, but one way that may not seem obvious is through motherhood. Not only does motherhood help you learn work/life integration, but it also teaches you important management and soft skills, like leadership, for your professional life.
Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, a mom who works outside of the home, or somewhere in between, motherhood is a source of great growth, both in a professional and personal way. Mothers are innate leaders, teaching core life lessons and leadership skills to their children each day through word and example.
Practical, everyday routines, like teaching children to make their beds, complete their hygiene regimen, and share with their siblings, equips a mother with effective leadership skills and qualities that she can apply in the workplace, whether she is a manager or not. These key soft skills include patience, interpretation, emotional intelligence, and crisis management. Being able to stay calm when others are upset or angry is another priceless leadership quality women learn through motherhood, helping their team and making them someone people enjoy working with.
Moms are also highly skilled in time management, long-term planning, and setting goals, all of which are extremely valuable in the workplace. As a manager, a mother can use these skills to help her team reach goals and to plan for the team and organization’s future needs.
Priceless Life Lessons
Most importantly, a mother learns how to love, even in difficult and stressful situations. Mothers practice servant leadership each, whether they work inside or outside of the home and regardless of how old their children are.
One of the trickiest parts of working in teams is dealing with difficult people, and mothers learn how to effectively communicate truth while showing love and understanding. When a toddler throws a tantrum because their sandwich was sliced incorrectly, or a teenager doesn’t understand why they can’t have the car on Friday night, their mother strengthens her leadership muscles as she navigates difficult conversations and conflicts. This skill helps her navigate crises and work well with individuals of different temperaments. It also provides her with an opportunity to love others as Christ instructs us to, even when it can be difficult.
Leading as a Catholic Mother
As Catholic women and mothers, it is important to remember that Jesus gave us unique skills and sacred opportunities, both at home and in the workplace, to bring Christ to others. Whether you are leading hundreds in the office or a couple of littles in the home, you are doing holy work! Each day, regardless of how challenging or difficult it may be, is an opportunity to grow professionally and personally—and to lead others to Jesus. Being your authentic self, wherever you are, is the best place to start and the best way to grow as a leader.
Marisa McDonald is a wife and mother living in Central Indiana. She has previously worked for various nonprofit spaces in fundraising, development, and strategy and is actively involved on boards within her community. A creative homemaker, Marisa is making the most of each day cherishing loved ones.