Motherhood: The Ultimate Leadership Training

Happy Sunday, Leaders!

Today (in the US), we celebrate the tireless work and unconditional love of all mothers.

As a wellness expert and ER doc, I know firsthand how mothers often suffer from burnout.

It’s the hardest yet most rewarding thing I’ve done.

That's why I'm sharing 7 lessons from motherhood that leaders can apply to prevent burnout.

Juggling work, family, and self-care can be tough, but we can apply valuable lessons from motherhood to prevent burnout.

Prioritize self-care like you prioritize your child's care. 

As mothers, we are experts in prioritizing the care of our children. However, we often neglect our self-care. 

It's important to remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your child. 

Set aside time for yourself each day, even if it's just 10 minutes, to meditate or take a walk. 

Encourage your team to practice self-care and lead by example by caring for your well-being.

Embrace imperfection: motherhood is messy, and that's okay. 

You don't have to be a perfect parent, and you don't have to be a perfect employee or boss. 

Embrace your imperfections and learn to let go of things that don't matter in the grand scheme. 

At first, it will feel weird, but it takes practice. People appreciate humans, not perfection.

Ask for help: motherhood is a team effort; the same goes for work. 

Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. 

Whether delegating work tasks or enlisting a friend to help with childcare, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. 

You can’t be all things to all people.

Practice flexibility. 

As mothers, we know that plans don't always go as expected. 

Apply this lesson to your work by being flexible and adaptable to change. 

This can reduce stress and increase resilience.

Be present in the moment. 

Mothers have the ability to be present at the moment and focus on their kids. 

Apply this skill to your work by focusing on one task at a time and avoiding multitasking. 

This can reduce stress and increase productivity. Ultimately, you avoid doing too much.

Celebrate the wins. 

Motherhood is full of small and big victories, like when your child crawls or says their first words. 

I still remember when my son rolled over for the first time. Celebrate these wins, no matter how small. 

Apply this lesson to your work by celebrating small victories and accomplishments for your team. 

This can increase motivation and boost confidence.

Say "no" and mean it. 

Sometimes, moms have to say "no" to their kids when they want something that’s bad for them. 

It's also okay for grown-ups to say "no" when at capacity. Setting boundaries is a skill. 

Leaders encourage your team to speak up and help them set boundaries.

Applying these lessons from motherhood to leadership can help prevent burnout and promote a healthy work-life balance. 

As we celebrate Mother's Day, let's remember that leadership is not just about the bottom line but also about caring for ourselves and our team members.

Today, I also recognize that today some people might be experiencing grief or loss, so I’m also mindful of that experience.

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers, mom-like figures, and those who celebrate.

That's all for this week. 

 Always wishing you the best,

Dr. Beckford

P.S. Whenever you’re ready to build a burnout-free culture. Here are two ways I can help you:

1. Boost your team’s profitability and well-being through a customized 1:1 presentation.
2.  Get answers to your questions in a 1:1 session.