Motherhood and Leadership

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

That's why I'm sharing 7 lessons from motherhood that leaders can apply 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 own 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 tasks at work 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 in 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.

Celebrate the wins. Motherhood is full of small and big victories, like when your child takes their first steps 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 they are 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.

Happy Mother's Day!

Always wishing you the best,

Dr. Beckford

Whenever you’re ready, here are two ways I can help:

1. Book me to speak at your next team retreat.

2. Not sure if you are ready? Schedule a call here to chat.