Mothers are our first leader.

And other leaders could learn a lot from them.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there, past, present, and future — no matter the path you took to motherhood: helping others grow into this world.

At the beginning of this year, I took on a theme of leadership for many of my articles, and as I reflect upon the theme and Mother’s Day (here in the United States) today, I realize how a mother is the original leader we (if we were lucky enough to) meet. A mother is literally our founder, bringing us into the world. A mother guides their child’s first activities, giving them the basic needs and early education to grow into their future selves.

For many, a mother inspires as well. They show courage when their children are threatened. They show sacrifice to ensure the needs are met. They can show sternness and compassion all in the same breath. And, for most, they are there with their children in the best of times and the worst of times. All without giving up their dedication to our success. A mother, while still enjoying their own personal goals and successes, doesn’t stand in the light cast by their children, but instead amplifies it.

Which of these attributes of a mother would we not ask of our leaders as well? Founders understand the protection and sacrifice they make for their company. Leaders should celebrate the success of their teams more than their own successes. Growing a company, growing a team, growing people, is often a labor of love, where the reward is not just monetary (and sometimes isn’t monetary), but instead seeing how others grow and improve their own footing in the world.

Leaders and founders are not the same as mothers. But they could learn a lot about how to be their best by looking at how a mother leads a child. They can understand the balance between positive and negative encouragement. They can find how giving is not taking from them, but amplifying the value of what is given. Leaders can stack their success not on their own backs, but by empowering their companies and teams to be great.

If you want to be a good leader, if you want to know how hard it is to build something from zero, go ask a mother.

And tell them “Happy Mother’s Day.”