Dana Dorris

Mothers and Leaders Have Traits in Common

BY DANA DORRIS

May is a beautiful month in that we get to celebrate our mothers.

Our Kennesaw Business Association theme this month is “Being Others-Centric,” as opposed to self-centered, and I cannot think of a better example of that than my mother. In business, we can learn a lot from the traits of a good mother, and women in leadership positions possess qualities that stretch beyond the office or boardroom — being patient, respectful, strong, humble, empathetic, authoritative and supportive. They can look beyond the role to see the person, and they know how to put themselves in other people’s shoes to see the world from a different perspective.

My guess is that if you take a good look at the successful female leaders in your life, you likely will see some commonalities.

Dedication and determination. Most women are not looking for a pity party. They will address challenges head-on without feeling sorry for themselves. The best leaders today possess this trait. Their determined attitudes have a positive influence on their followers and will shape forever their definition of leadership.

Confidence. It took many years for women to get a seat at the table, but it did not take them long to pay attention to their surroundings and to learn and be inspired. An unentitled approach is endearing. Success is earned, and there are no such things as shortcuts. Women who take pride in their work understand it is more about the journey than the destination, and that is what creates a true, self-made person.

Being others-centric. One word for this trait is selflessness. When I think of my own mother, “selfless” describes her perfectly. She took a backseat to her family in many ways, putting her own interests aside and focusing on her family. This kind of selflessness is the heart of servant leadership and a hallmark quality of true leadership today, in both men and women.

Dependability. Regardless of the circumstances, women who lead are there in many capacities for the people who need them. Multitasking is a difficult skill, and mastering it without dropping any of the plates spinning in the air is admirable. The never-giveup spirit and mentality is what makes a leader worth following.

Being in the business world for the past 32 years, I have observed strong women in action — women who brought a voice, strength, grace and an important perspective to the table. Most importantly, the successful women who are running companies should be recognized not only as great female leaders but also as great leaders in general.

Happy Mother’s Day to my mother, Linda Pruitt, and all of the awesome moms!

Dana Dorris, with her mom, Linda Pruitt, is the first two-time female president of the Kennesaw Business Association. She is an independent agent with Risk & Insurance Consultants.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

May 10

KBA Luncheon

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Recreation Center at Adams Park 2737 Watts Drive Features Partnership Expo for businesses and schools.

May 17 Alive After Five 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hester Dental 2980 Lewis St.

May 20 Super Women’s Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Copeland’s 1142 Barrett Parkway May 24 Wake Up KBA 8-9 a.m. 22oneRealty 2695 Summers St.

May 31 Fifth Tuesday Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Copeland’s 1142 Barrett Parkway

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Join the KBA by visiting www.kennesawbusiness.org.