I learned how to be a good leader from Mom

Growing up, when someone said I was my mother’s daughter, I violently protested and insisted that while I might have her eyes and her sarcastic sense of humor, I was actually nothing like her in any other way.

Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong. As far as a sphere of influence goes, when it comes to learning how to be a good leader, I can honestly say, I learned most of what I know, from my mom.

Did she have a choice –  the oldest of four, practically raising her siblings at times and always the one that others looked to for guidance and support? And then a young single mother herself, always making the tough choices, the mistakes, on her own. (Only to pick herself back up again, and try it differently next time.)

I never thought of her as a ‘manager’ in the same way the word gets thrown around in the professional sense now – but looking back, she was certainly the definition of ‘inspirational leadership’. Somehow, she seemed to know when to talk and when to listen. When to give the credit away,  and when to say: “thank you.” She was a mentor to many, although I don’t think there was ever any mention of it. She just was.

Today, she’s nearing retirement, and plotting the ‘next chapter’ as she calls it, her second career. And while I am truly benefiting from her DNA and example, as far as professional drive and perseverance, the thing I look most forward to, is my continued education as a good human. Weather she’s rallying her coworkers and friends to give up time, money and warm jackets to non-profits during the holidays, or simply just sending a note with the right words, at just the right time, she’s a positive force to be reckoned with.

So now if someone says: ” you are just like you’re mother!” I say: ” thank you.”