Manage Like a Mother

My friend Lee Cockerell once said on his podcast that you should "Manage like a Mother" and it stuck with me. I love leadership quotes.

I feel that the single most important leadership skill is the ability to determine what is the most important thing.

Managers focus on doing things right - they are into efficiency. Leaders focus on doing the right things - they concern themselves with effectiveness. Sometimes they overlap, but Management and Leadership are not the same thing.

When I was growing up, my Mom ran the household. She would learn how to prioritize. She had the ability to separate what was the most important thing, from what was not important. And once she knew what was important, she put all of her focus and energy into what she determined was essential and best for the family. [ Mom would never quit. ]

Mom was very good at processing new information as it came in. Mom knew that as things change, plans change and that our priorities needed to change accordingly. [ Like discovering a sick child the night before leaving for the big family vacation. ]

Mom would always encourage healthy habits for myself and my sister. She would give us praise when it was warranted and she would criticize our behavior when needed. But she would only criticize in private. And the criticism would always be constructive. [ Praise in public, criticize in private.]

Mom would allow us to make mistakes. We would learn that actions have consequences, and that we needed to take ownership of our actions. [ Don't lie to Mom. She would always find out. ]

Mom would make the tough calls from time to time. Ultimately, it was Mom's call as to what would be the best for the family. Over time, it became evident that Mom was (almost) always right.

At this point in my life (and my business career) I see how CEO and MOM can mean the same thing. Moms demand action when action is needed. Moms fully pour their heart and their entire being into their family. Moms help the family to be its best, creating a positive vision of what can be. Moms hold their children to a higher standard. Moms expect honesty and accountability from their children. And Moms are always there for their children, no matter what.

Here is something cool. Google "Leadership Quotes" and you will find thousands. Now, replace the word "Leadership" or "Leaders" with the word Motherhood and Mother.

Here is an example:

"A good objective of leadership (Motherhood) is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who are doing well to do even better." ~ Jim Rohn

And one more:

"Leaders (Mothers) instill in their people (family) a hope for success and a belief in themselves. Positive leaders (Mothers) empower people (family) to accomplish their goals." ~ Unknown

Last one:

"The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader (Mother) adjusts the sails."  ~ John Maxwell


Happy Mothers Day to all the Leaders and Managers out there....... ESPECIALLY to all the Momprenuers in the world - the female business owners who are actively balancing the role of a Mom and the role of an Entrepreneur.

My Mom

Mom's #1 Draft Pick