THE RISE OF MUMS IN BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP
By Estelle Carroll
It’s important for you to know before you start reading this, that embedded in my message is not a hate of men or quest for women to burn their bra. It’s a message for you to consider to create balance in Leadership representation. For a long time, I thought to be a great leader you needed to be louder, firmer, more masculine in behaviours and language - and it is simply not true.
nose with a straw because you feared they couldn’t breathe (ok - that’s a little extreme, they have tools for that... but I know you would).
And in amongst it all you became overwhelmed, confused, and frustrated.
If you have feminine qualities you are created with some key qualities that will make for a great leader in business, community and your home.
EMPATHY
You took what worked for you from what you have learnt and also created your own ways.
As a Salon Owner, Business Coach and Mother I want to share with you the qualities you have if you too are a Mum in Business.
But YOU don’t have to be, and you certainly don’t need to be to be a great at what you do.
It’s possible you haven’t embraced them, celebrated them, nurtured them or developed them in fear that they were inadequacies - but let me tell you, you have so many things to be proud of.
YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY
Hands up when cleaning poo off a nappy, floor, walls, your outfit, you’ve gagged and kept going? Who’s sucked the boogers out of their child’s 86
Hair Biz Year 15 Issue 5
Successful leaders are often seen as cold hearted, black and white dictators and masculine energies. And some can be.
It takes deep humility and emotional empathy to understand and address the wants and needs of a small person who cannot communicate yet. This skill can help cultivate talent and shape the morale of your whole team.
ADAPTABILITY
It’s possible that when you first became a parent you were given advice from your mum, mother in-law, midwife, maternal health nurse, every client you looked after friends…. everyone.
Then - you adapted.
You realised that this pattern worked for a short time, then you had to alter to another and another. Why? Because the children grew, and their needs changed. Just when you thought you had mastered it, it changed and you realised quickly this change model was the only thing that didn’t change. So, you allowed yourself a moment or two to think “What the?!” Then regrouped - reset and kept moving forward. Well done.
