The Leadership of Motherhood

Happy Mother's Day! Today is the day we've all agreed to honor the women who have somehow participated in our creation (whether by birth or not), our development, and our emergence as adult humans. Motherhood in all its manifestations is at once a natural and biological imperative and also a complete leap into an seemingly unknown and undiscovered existence! Whether your mother was skilled or not, present or not, loving or not, she has had a profound impact on the person you are today. Inside the realm of the loving mother there are examples of true leadership qualities.

Clear expectations, sometimes known as boundaries, are one of the leadership skills a good mother possesses. As we progress from infant to adult our mother has a sense of precisely where to move those boundaries so that we feel protected while continuously growing by learning new skills and trying on new ways of being. This setting of boundaries is not without its fits and starts. I doubt there's a mother alive who would say she did it perfectly, but it truly is an art and a gift to those looking to her leadership.

Authentic praise and recognition is another way a mother employs great leadership. We all want to make our mothers proud, but empty praise for something we know we didn't deserve to be recognized for is usually counterproductive. The mother with great leadership skills knows exactly what we need to be recognized for: trying something difficult for the first time, learning a hard won new skill, excelling in an honorable manner, sharing what is ours without expectation of reward, honoring those around us for what they have to offer.

Those are just two of the leadership skills that a good mother possesses. Sometimes we get this good mothering from people in our lives that are not our mothers.  It is good to recognize the mothering that life provides for us and honor it whenever we can. And honor the instinct of motherhood within yourself, whether you are man or woman. We all have the capacity to nurture and bring out the best in those around us... and that is truly a leadership skill.