The Most Undervalued Leadership Role in the World: Mother

(Picture of me with my sons in the summer of 2020. They make every day feel like Mother's Day.)

This Mother’s Day is the day we stop underestimating the most extraordinary job in the world and start leading from it.

Motherhood is a masterclass in leadership. And yet, it’s overlooked, diminished, or left out of the rooms where power is negotiated.

We say things like “I’m just a mom,” instead of claiming our role as architects of the future.

Because that’s what mothers are.

You are the architect of the future, not just of your children’s lives, but of workplaces, ideas, and movements.

The devotion you bring to motherhood is not separate from your leadership, it’s the very foundation of it.

Devotion is the Leadership Skill of the Century

In my work, I speak about The Devotion Factor, a mindset that reclaims our time, rewires our conversations, and reminds us of who we are beyond distraction.

And there is no greater example of this than a mother.

Devoted mothers change the course of history. Their capacity to lead through fatigue, fear, and relentless decision-making builds a muscle most leaders only dream of. In fact, the most famous mother in the world—Mary, the Mother of God—remains a timeless example of unwavering devotion, quiet courage, and transformational impact.

The work of mothers may not be titled on LinkedIn, but it delivers results that reverberate across generations.

What Mothers Must Stop Doing

• Stop minimizing yourself. 

  
  

No more “I’m just a mom.” You are a strategist, a mentor, a crisis negotiator, a wellness coordinator, and an emotional architect.

• Stop being deferential in conversations that need your voice. 

  
  

Speak up. The world needs your lived wisdom, not your small version.

• Stop accepting spaces where you’re not heard. 

  
  

If the room doesn’t welcome your insight, it’s time to find or build another room.

What Mothers Must Start Doing

• Start practicing presence as power. 

  
  

You don’t need to shout to lead. You need to stay rooted in what you know to be true.

• Start taking up space. 

  
  

Claim your experience as the most important leadership credential you carry.

• Start making time for people and ideas that bring you balance. 

  
  

Stop over-serving. Start aligning with what nourishes you.

Summary

Let’s start honoring the vision, tenacity, and intelligence it takes to lead from home and beyond—and recognizing that the skills honed in motherhood are not just relevant, but essential to the future of leadership. The return on that investment is immeasurable and felt across generations, organizations, and the world.

Motherhood shaped my instincts in ways no classroom or boardroom ever could. It taught me to solve problems before they’re spoken, to stay steady in chaos, and to create momentum from a place of love.

My first clients were my children. I witnessed the return on my time and energy in ways I never could have predicted—watching them love each other, solve problems with grit, and live out the values we practiced together.

These lessons are now the backbone of how I lead, serve clients, and build lasting value in my work—work that’s helped entrepreneurs grow from undercharging to earning seven figures, and helped teams reignite focus, collaboration, and measurable progress.

Measurable progress isn’t only about metrics, it’s about the source of the results. Motherhood cultivates the kind of focus, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and persistence that companies spend millions trying to train. The outcomes it produces—resilient people, high-functioning teams, deep trust—are the very assets needed to accelerate success in boardrooms and leadership roles.

It’s time we stop seeing motherhood as a detour and start recognizing it as one of the most rigorous leadership development programs in the world.