Professional Learning Update

Leadership Lessons My Mother Taught Me

Dr. Demica Sanders, Director of Professional Learning CLAS

As I author this article, it is Mother’s Day weekend and the first Mother’s Day since I lost my mother a few short months ago. I received a beautiful card today from one of my sorority sisters who reminded me of the importance of reflecting on all the wonderful Mother’s Day holidays that I shared with her. My mother taught me so many lessons growing up, so today, I am honoring my mother and all the mothers reading this article by sharing some of those lessons!

Maria Shriver reminds us that “really good mothers make good leaders because they nurture, they build a solid team, they see your potential, and they build on your strengths, not your fears. They inspire you; they guide you and they ask of you. Plus, they are really strong and should not be messed with.”

When I was a young child, amazing women surrounded me! My mother, grandmother, aunts and neighbors (the village) all instilled things that made me the woman that I am today. Those lessons that I learned as a young child, I still carry them in my personal and professional life. Growing up and growing into my own sense of leadership was often difficult for me because I did not always heed the advice of the wise women that I encountered on this journey. Lucky for me, they always believed in me!

These leadership lessons learned from mothers can be put into practice as you lead your organization.

Lesson 1

Good mothers (leaders) build a solid team: To accomplish anything in life, you need a cohesive team around you. In both my personal and professional life, I learned very quickly that I needed a supportive team to get the job done. Like mothers, “effective leaders facilitate teamwork by encouraging cooperation among people and departments” (Lewis, n.d., para 3). Whether it is planning who is going to pick up a child from band practice or planning a major summer convention, it requires everyone on the team working together to achieve the mission!

Lesson 2

Good mothers (leaders) see your potential, and build on your strengths, not your fears: As a child, I often stayed in trouble because I had a smart mouth (imagine that!). I often stayed in trouble because I would often mumble under my breath. Even when I did this, my mother would chastise me as only she could and remind me that I was going to achieve greatness because I was not afraid to speak up for things, I believe in. A mother is your biggest cheerleader, advocate, and supporter. Those who are in leadership positions must see the potential in those they lead and build on their strengths - not fears. They turn strengths into performance by being an advocate and supporter to those they lead.

Lesson 3

Good mothers (leaders) inspire you, guide you and let you shine: According to Robinson, “mothers may seem overshadowed or eclipsed by the presence or achievements of their children” (Lewis, n.d., para 9). Even if this is the case, they still inspire you, guide you and let your light shine even if their own light dims just a little. Likewise, “leaders may seem to disappear in the bright light of their organization’s accomplishments. The best ones fade to the background willingly, knowing that true success is found in the influence they make in the lives of others” (Lewis, n.d., para 9). Maria Shriver reminds us of a few important ones in the quote mentioned above. But in case you forget all of them, the most important one is stated in the final line of her quote, “Plus they are really strong and shouldn’t be messed with!”

As always, if the CLAS staff can ever be of assistance, do not hesitate to contact us and Happy Belated Mother’s Day to all mothers!

Lewis, C. (n.d.). Six examples of leadership from mom- happy mother’s day. Centennial, Inc. - https://centennialinc.com/centennial-blog/six-examples-ofleadership-from-mom/