10 Leadership Lessons from My Mom

Today is Mother’s Day and normally I don’t write blog posts on my mother on this day. A mother, I believe is someone who needs to be honored, loved, cared every single day and not just on Mother’s Day.  Why did I decide to write a blog post this year?

I was having a chat with a business colleague yesterday and we were discussing leadership, qualities of a leader and people who have inspired each of us. On the topic of inspiration, many have inspired me but none better than my mom and my dad.  Since the discussion is fresh in my mind and Mother’s Day is today, I thought, why not translate these thoughts into a blog post.

My mom has never considered herself as a leader and even if you tell her she probably doesn’t understand how she can be a leader.

My mom is in her 70’s and she comes from a conservative background. She got married when she was 19 and she has always been a housewife who always found pleasure in looking after her home, her family and in building a temple of values.

Why do I consider my mom as a leader ?

1. Love and care – every act of hers, in all that she did and still does, is always engulfed with love and care. I still remember that she made a choice not to go for her father’s funeral because of my exams.
2. Hope – no matter how dark the road might be, my mom has always believed in hope and has always lived by that.
3. Integrity – my mom has always lived with honesty and sincerity. She always taught my sister and I to take ownership and be true to whatever we are and do.
4. Independence – though she got married when she was very young, she never forced us to marry and she made sure that her daughters are independent. She taught us values of striving towards our goal but also being content with each day and pay gratitude.
5. Respect – give respect and earn respect but never demand it.
6. Bold and Confident – my mom doesn’t have a list of degrees. Yet she has learnt three languages on her own. She transitioned well whilst she accompanied my dad to different parts of India, who used to be transferred on his assignments every two years. She led her actions with confidence.
7. Time management – during my school and college days, I was always amazed at how well she managed her day. There was never a delay in going to school or college or getting our meals. She set her priorities and executed her day with love and care.
8. Persistence – she taught me by her actions that I can have it all if I worked tenaciously towards my dream.
9. Questions – she always asks questions when she is not sure or doesn’t know something. I learnt from her that I don’t need to know all and learning can come from asking questions.
10. Present & engaged – she cultivated the habit in me to think about the future but to sow the seeds today to build a future I desire. She has always encouraged me to be mindful, to prepare well and never lose sight of opportunities that come my way.

My mom is a woman who has led through action. She is struggling with her health today where she is battling with Parkinson’s, Osteoporosis and other complications. Yet she smiles and remains disciplined with her medication.  She has slowed down but yet she manages to look after herself and find strength in the challenges that she faces.

What have you learnt from your mom?
In what way has she inspired you ?