Would you admit being a mom has taught you valuable leadership skills?
Motherhood is a journey that requires you to be strong, focused and determined. It’s not without its challenges, but it can also teach you skills in leadership that will help you throughout your life.
11 Leadership Skills You Learn from Being a Mom
Motherhood teaches you leadership skills that can be applied in every area of your life. Mothers make great leaders because they already know how to balance a lot on their plate and prioritize what is most important.
Here are 11 leadership lessons I have learned from being a mother:
1. Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help
One can’t do it all. There will be times when you need an extra set of hands to hold your baby while you breastfeed, or if you’re feeling down and just need someone to talk to. It’s important to know that there are people who want to help and who want to support you on this journey.
Lead by example. Show your kids that you’re not afraid to admit when you need help. There is nothing wrong with asking for assistance from loved ones or friends! We all need some help now and then.
If I’m busy with a task, I’ll ask dad to help keep the children out the way for a bit. When I’m feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, it’s time for a break and to take care of myself.
When there are tasks that need to be done around the house, I know that delegating responsibility is important! This includes chores as well as decision-making on who should be in charge of what.
You want to instill a sense of responsibility and teamwork with your children from the beginning by showing them that you’re not afraid to ask for help!
2. Stay Calm, even when things get tough, and be confident in your decisions
In motherhood, there are times when you feel like the world is crashing down on top of you. We have so many responsibilities pulling at us in different directions. There will be moments where your patience is tested and all you want to do is yell!
When I feel overwhelmed and scatter brained, I take a few deep breaths. It helps me gain my bearings and forces me to stop for a minute to consider what tasks are most pressing and how each decision will affect everyone else.
I know it is important not to make any rash decisions while feeling overwhelmed, so taking a few minutes to calm down really helps.
When I am ready to make a decision I have looked at all the angles, therefore I am confident in going forward. I tend to overthink things, so I have to be intentional with decision making.
3. Balance your time between yourself and others
Creating a healthy balance between spending time with others and taking time for yourself will benefit you as well as your children.
This is where creating a schedule and routine for your household comes in handy. At the end of a long day, you want to block off time to cater to your children’s needs, your spouses’ needs, and especially your own.
You can read my morning routine here to get an idea of what I mean.
You can also watch the video below on how to create a schedule at home.
It’s important not only for your mental health but also for them as well. They learn by watching us and if we’re constantly giving all of ourselves to them, they won’t learn how important it is to care for themselves.
4. Be kind and compassionate
Empathy is a very important skill in leadership and relationships with others. Empathy is different from sympathy in that you are looking through the other person’s lens. You feel what they feel and that in turn softens your actions.
You will know when to push and when to let go.
A personalized approach is key as every person is different with their own unique personality, strengths, and weaknesses.
5. Be a good listener- it's one of the most underrated skills in leadership
Listening is such an invaluable skill in leadership because it allows the other person to feel heard.
The most important tip for active listening is to give your undivided attention and look them in the eyes. Focus on their words and body language. Spend less time in your own head thinking of what to say next.
6. You will make mistakes, but don't beat yourself up about them
Raise your hand if you feel extra sh*tty for making a mistake? Yea me too.
Making mistakes is natural and part of being human. The important thing to remember is not to beat yourself up when a mistake happens.
Take a step back from the situation to see what went wrong. Then figure out if a solution can be found. Implement that if you can. If not reflect on what you learned and move on.
7. Learn how to delegate
There is a lot on my plate and I want to do it all myself, but that’s not possible.
Us moms have to work on letting go of some things so you can spend more time tackling the bigger tasks.
When you delegate, it frees up your mental energy and allows you a chance to focus on what is most pressing for that day or week.
Learning to delegate takes a load off your shoulders and reduces the stress of carrying everything on your shoulders.
Prioritize what needs to be done for the day or week. Start off small by delegating easy tasks that don’t take much time.
8. Take care of yourself- eat healthy, exercise, and get enough sleep
It is important to maintain your physical, mental and emotional health. This is especially true of moms and the constant pressure that we put on ourselves.
As a mom, I have learned how to create healthy habits like exercising regularly, cooking meals at home with fresh ingredients, taking time for myself during my day or in little chunks throughout my week; which has helped me not just be a better mother but also an improved partner.
I know you see or hear this a lot these days but self-care is so important. There are ways to find time for self-care as a busy mom.
Create some time for yourself by:
- taking short breaks during your workday
- go to bed earlier and get up earlier so you have more hours you are on “off” time
- take a bubble bath with essential oils
- watch an episode of your favorite show
- read a book that you can’t put down
Take care of yourself and be kind to yourself – it’s important!
Here is an additional 10 ways to find time for self-care
9. Create a support system for you
Leadership is hard work and as a mom it may be especially difficult at times.
I find that if I’m struggling with being a leader, there are many people in my life who have offered their support to me in different ways; whether they make time for dinner with me or take the kids so I can get out of the house or me and bae have date night.
It is important to have people in your life who can help support you and give insight into how they see the situation.
Spend time with these special people and be open about what’s going on during this parenting journey.
They are there for you, so lean on them when needed!
10. Don't let others take advantage of you and your time
Leadership is a dynamic skill that you will learn more about as time goes on.
You’ll need to continually grow, but don’t let others manipulate your energy or take advantage of you by not following through with promises.
Maintain boundaries in order to be successful and practice self-care so you can give back any way you can.
It’s important to be confident in your skills, abilities, and knowledge so you’ll feel more empowered.
11. Problem solving is your superpower
As a mom, I seem to have an ability to find solutions when everyone else is struggling.
I don’t know if it’s the mom-magic or what, but problem solving is my super power!
There are so many little things in life that will happen unexpectedly. But this superpower has really helped me get through tough situations and find solutions to problems.
I’m not just thinking for myself, I have others who depend on me to make solid decisions in the best interest of our family.
I’ve learned that problem solving is a skill that I can continue to grow in as time goes on, but I’m grateful for the skills I have now because they are what has helped me get through tough times! All while being a mom.
This list should have you thinking “I am more than just a mom” because you are. You have many leadership skills to offer other people whether through a job, volunteering, or owning a business. These skills are important in every area of your life.
So the next time someone asks you what do you do instead of “O, I’m a mom…” tell them I am a problem-solving, delegating, compassionate team player with a lot more to show.
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As always,
Be You Confidently
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