SuperMom

SUPER MOM Leila Leila Nichols Nichols

BY LIESEL SCHMIDT

As the Director of Education for Zimmer Biomet Solutions, Leila Nichols’s job is to coordinate the learning paths for their sales force as they work with orthopedic surgeons and clinicians in restoring mobility, alleviating pain, and improving the quality of life for patients through their innovative musculoskeletal technologies. At home, her work might be far less technical—but it’s every bit as important.

The mother of five children between the ages of 16 and one, Nichols certainly has her hands full, keeping them all going in the right direction and managing countless schedules on top of her own. “Our life is loud, busy and sometimes like a Petrie dish, with five kids at two schools,” says Nichols, who helps her husband of nine years, Bo, on nights and weekends in marketing the properties he represents as a Realtor in his family company, Nichols Real Estate.

As busy as it can be, Nichols can’t imagine things any other way. “I was raised by a working mother,” she says. “My mom instilled in me the importance of having something of your own that brings value to your life and the world outside the home. She put a lot of emphasis on education and making sure that you have the means to support yourself and not rely on someone else. Being a working mom is all I've ever known, so I can't say whether it is more or less difficult than being a mom who does not work outside of the home. I do know, however, that I am personally fulfilled by my work, and that makes me better for my children. Whole parents raise whole kids, and whatever that looks like for you is what you should do. Women are so flexible and resilient and hop in and out of the workforce constantly because of a myriad of reasons, but usually because of family obligations. We fall behind professionally, then we catch up. Being a working mother is not linear and looks a lot like the game Chutes and Ladders, but I'm here for it.”

What her kids see isn’t just that she is working, but that she is thriving and cultivating relationships that make her grow as a person and as a mom—and that, even as an adult, she is still learning. “I think working gives me opportunities to learn things that I would not necessarily take an interest in otherwise,” she notes. “For example, when starting at Zimmer Biomet Solutions, I had never worked in the orthopedic space. I had been doing major gift fundraising for USA Health, so while I was familiar with the workings of sales and health systems, the specific vocabulary for this position was totally foreign to me. My oldest daughter quizzed me on flashcards one night just for fun. My children also get to hear about my wins and losses and get a better understanding that the world is all about relationships in a variety of settings and navigating those relationships. We all have to follow rules, show respect for authority, and earn our spots at the table. These are not just kindergarten guidelines, and they get to see that first-hand from me.”

Her kids will grow, as they do, and eventually leave home to start their lives and have families of their own. But no matter how old they get or how far they go, Nichols hopes they take with them the memory of how she loved. “The love language that I use to show my love is acts of service,” she says. “I hope that they feel loved by my actions and that they will remember getting lots of hugs and kisses and ‘I love yous’ and special meals and random gifts. I hope they remember when singing to pick a note—just not mine (this is how we learn to harmonize around here). I hope they remember my heart for hurting people. And when they show empathy, compassion, or serve, I hope that they feel me with them in spirit.”

As she watches them become individuals and navigate life, Nichols sees the many things that her children have taught her. “I don't think I learned anything before my children,” she says with a laugh. “They are the embodiment of every lesson I've ever learned. Parenting teaches so much grace and mercy and patience and selflessness and self-control.

You learn to be more organized. You learn to budget better. You learn to sneak vegetables into random foods. What did I learn before I was a mom? Honestly, can’t think of anything.”

Christopher J. Bosarge, M.D.

Board Certified in Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology

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