Mothers Can Be Mentors

With all the leadership lessons of the past and present,Role Transition
tomorrow holds something different. Dr. BenjaminMothers multitask by changing roles at home and
Spock, expert on parenting said, 'I really learned it alloffice. Their transitional leadership is a training manual
from Mothers.' Indeed our mothers have the gift ofto skills of preparation, encounter, adjustment and
gab, a natural trait to care giving, as also mentoring.stabilization in each role. Learning this trait helps build
Their sensitivity to our needs and empathy to anadaptability in young leaders while working in project/
experiential sharing leaves an indelible mark on ourtechnology oriented organizations. It also enhances
lives. They show traits that could be emulated bymanagerial gravity and helps cope stress during
young minds. Our mothers know us well. They havetransition from specialist to generalist. Moreover, it
the key to our self-indulgence as they have helped usimproves concurrence to change and benefits our
evolve through stages of life. Their three-dimensionallearning curve for an added contribution to the
role as mother, manager and mentor signifies theirorganization value chain.
leadership diversity and efficacy to care giving. OurConflicts
mothers truly can be the guidepost to mentoring withMothers exhibit tact as moderators during sibling fights.
style and art. The following is a selective know-howHer resolution sometimes is a tough love that could be
guide.a great lesson of life. Her emotional intelligence can be
Depthinspiring as a trait to adopt for young minds while
Patience with thought parity and emotional balance areleading cross-cultural teams and dealing with expatriate
good leadership signs. Patience gives depth to the flowissues on sensitivity to relationships and emotions. A
of thoughts and helps control emotional excitementmother's facilitation trait also shows her tact for human
under dynamic situations. A restraint and liberty to ourrelations and can be a fair guide to
Mind to play with our thoughts and emotions cansuperior-subordinate harmony as well.
transform our personality and welcome change. NewNegotiation
age leaders need to be holistic communicators. TheyA mother's negotiation skills with the local mart or
should be aware of, as also in control of angrocers are commendable. Her art of selling ideas and
interdependence of their thoughts and emotions inprice negotiation skills display a creative dent. Using
exercising leadership. A mother's balancing act is anlogic and imagination to root out creative solutions just
illustration of her capacity and character to such holisticlike our mothers do can sometimes help us sail through
leadership. Her emotional profundity is infectious forcomplexities in sales and customer relationships.
young minds.Getting Along
DeliverThe time spent with mother on family picnics and
A mother's good listening skills and her values of givingentertainment or even while shopping is our bonding.
help imbibe togetherness and sharing as threshold toThis is the time when we forget all the occasional
teamwork. She fosters nourishment of feelings andarguments or disagreements. This bonding and learning
actions and also helps vent pent up emotions toto know each other better builds the base to
recharge our life batteries. This switch on and switchrelationships and obviously is a seed to sustained
off and learning to collectively contribute surely has aleadership.
patronizing effect on organizational productivity. TheFeedback
sum total of such contribution, productivity andMothers' open discussions at the dinner table
satisfaction yields greater kinship with organization andencouraged self-expression to bring out the best in us.
also helps increase internal customer satisfaction,She demonstrated the qualities of a servant leader.
undoubtedly the preface to an apt leadership role.Young leaders can be trained as coaches of their
Crisisteams to lead through thought innovation and change.
Single mothers exemplify operational capabilities andLearning this trait helps build a sense of community
scale economies as family unit heads. Their crisiswithin the organizational framework.
intervention can be a training parameter. Learning thisLeader-Manager
art of resource optimization develops desirable skillsOur mothers make and manage the home. They lead
for Strategic Business Unit Leadership. It also is trainingwith compassion and manage with intellect. Their
to mature intellectually and emotionally in order toaltruism is a great leadership lesson. Generation next,
critically evaluate the opportunity cost of our decisions.the corporate pilot and leadership investment of
Capitalizing on analytical and recovery intervention skillstomorrow needs to imbibe the qualities of endurance
strengthens coordination while working in largeand selflessness from mothers. These traits can be
organizations. All the more, a mother's transactionallater on developed into core competencies, which shall
leadership generates understanding the parity betweenhelp young minds to balance leadership and
responsibility and authority at a young age, a lessonmanagement roles in a fiercely competitive globe.
that aids contingency planning and developsUnbelievable yet true, sometimes real life cases are an
competitiveness in us.imminent guide to our corporate roles.