Mothers are unsung leaders
We need to remember that more than just today
Last Mother’s Day I suggested mothers are our first leaders. But their leadership role doesn’t end there. Their impact is lasting and leads us our entire life. For those who never knew their mother (or had one during their life) the impact is still there, though different than for those with a mother-figure in their lives. Mother’s Day is for all who fill the role, birth, adopted, step, or just “like a mother” in one’s life. In all shapes and ways mothers exist, they serve as a leader to us. Even when we forget to acknowledge it.
Too often a mother’s leadership in our lives is taken for granted. It’s just what they’re there for, right? To know what we need when we need it. To realize when we need to talk or be left alone. To provide words of encouragement or stern words of warning. We recognize all of these and more as “motherly” when coming from someone we think of as a mother-figure. But when from someone else? Perhaps a boss, a mentor, or a leader? The things we think of as good leadership behaviors (see my microleadership article last week) are just what we expect “mothers” to do. And when we just expect, we fail to show proper appreciation.
And of course, mothers in the workplace are double-unsung. Our Western society still expects working mothers to be great employees and great mothers – at the same time, all the time. When a working father spends time with his children, we say “it’s great he’s able to do that.” But mothers? Society would take the opposite view – why wouldn’t they be spending time with their children? Working mothers (especially single mothers) lead through both of their jobs with a level of capability we don’t give full credit. We leave all the songs of their success and accomplishments unsung.
Instead, on this Mother’s Day, let’s recognize mothers for who and what they are: leaders. People who mentor, teach, care, nurture, support, and more – not for a promotion or a stock grant, but because they have chosen to invest in the next generation. Just as we talk about succession planning, career growth opportunities, and leadership training in work, mothers do this for their children (and often for more than their own children). Mothers are growth minded from day one. Mothers are risk managers from just as early. They lead so others may grow.
If you can, if it fits your own experiences too, go sing the praises for the mother figures in your life. Not just today, but every day. Thank them for what they’ve done and what they continue to do for you and for others. They are leaders, but don’t need to be unsung.
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