From managing homes to leading teams: Why moms make outstanding managers

Before most people even hit snooze, mothers are already deep into their first shift. They already have negotiated breakfast like seasoned diplomats, de-escalated toddler meltdowns with the finesse of a crisis manager, and mobilised the household like a chief executive officer, leading a company  — all before their first sip of tea.

That’s because motherhood is leadership in its rawest and realest form. From juggling competing priorities to making rapid-fire decisions under pressure, mothers develop the qualities top organisations value most, that is time management, emotional intelligence, resilience, and the ability to get things done fast — no matter what. 

In fact, several Indian mothers have achieved significant leadership positions in companies, demonstrating a successful balance between family and career, such as Falguni Nayar, founder and CEO of Nykaa; Indra Nooyi, ex-CEO of PepsiCo; Vineeta Singh, CEO of SUGAR Cosmetics; Ghazal Alagh, co-founder of MamaEarth, among others. 

These mothers don’t just manage chaos, but master it, with grit, grace, and a mental to-do list that would make any project manager proud. So the next time you're considering someone for a leadership role, take a closer look at the working mothers in your team. She’s not only a mother, but a strategic thinker, a compassionate leader, and an execution powerhouse, shaped by real-world experience that no management programme can ever teach. 

Note, if she can handle a toddler's tantrums in the morning and at night, she can definitely handle your all-hands meetings at noon. Here’s to the mothers who lead with love, strength, and unmatched skill, not just at home, but in boardrooms, and offices.  

On the occasion of Mother’s Day, we have jolted down a few points to explain why working mothers often make phenomenal managers at the workplace.

Unmatched Crisis Management Skills: Emergencies can happen anytime, for example, a sick child during an important call, a forgotten homework due at night, or unwashed school uniforms, etc. Mothers adapt in real time, quickly assessing the problem, making decisions, and executing solutions like a pro. 

This is very similar to workplace emergencies. This same agility and calm under pressure is required during project delays, team conflicts, or projects failure. For example, Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta (2008-2022) and mother of two, famously led the company through major public crises with resilience and transparency. Her ability to stay calm and communicate clearly under scrutiny was a direct reflection of her practical, people-first leadership.

Strategic Multitasking & Prioritisation: Mothers manage multiple roles, such as chauffeur, chef, nurse, cleaning maid, teacher, and still prioritise everyone’s needs. They know how to drop what's unnecessary and focus on what matters the most. Similarly, managers with similar skills lead productive teams, delegate smartly, and reduce time wastage. 

For example, Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble and mother of two sons, scaled a tech company while juggling her parental responsibilities. She credits strict prioritisation and energy management as her keys to success. Herd returned to the CEO role at Bumble in March 2025, with a vision to transform Bumble from a dating app to a platform focused on self-improvement and building meaningful relationships.

Emotional Intelligence & Team Empowerment: Raising a kid teaches patience, empathy, and the ability to handle emotional ups and downs, these skills are rooted in emotional intelligence (EQ). This has been proved by many studies that managers with high EQ build strong team morale, improve retention, and foster psychological safety.

For example, Jessica Alba, founder of The Honest Company (founded in 2011), integrates empathy into her team’s culture, creating an inclusive and human-centered brand. She has three children and her leadership style balances empathy with accountability, a lesson that might be the result of parenting.

High Accountability & Ownership: Mothers are often the default chief responsibility officer at home, ensuring everything happens whether or not someone is watching. Likewise, this deep-rooted sense of ownership makes them proactive managers who don’t pass the buck. They own their decisions and lead by an example like Tina Sharkey, co-founder of Brandless (founded in 2015).

She is a mother, and known for her integrity and ownership-driven culture. She is known for her entrepreneurial ventures, including co-founding iVillage, leading Johnson & Johnson's BabyCenter and serving on various boards. Her teams say she leads with both high expectations and deep trust.

Communication Masters: Mothers know how to explain complex things in simple, relatable terms in daily lives. They also become experts in non-verbal cues, tone management, and active listening. These skills are vital for clear communication with diverse teams, clients, and stakeholders. 

For instance, Joanna Griffiths, founder of Knix (2013), was pregnant when she closed a big funding round. Her style and tone was clear, confident, and emotionally resonant, developed in part through years of parenting and leading with clarity. A trailblazer with the creation of leak-proof underwear, she continues to focus on listening to what people want and bringing revolutionary solutions to life, a skill very often found in mothers.

Problem-Solving & Creative Thinker: When children suddenly say they won’t eat vegetables or fruits anymore, or lose their stationary items right before school, the creative mind starts working. Similarly, mothers often bring unconventional, resourceful thinking to the table, solving problems which others might complicate. 

For example, Sara Blakely, founder and CEO of Spanx (founded in 2000) and mother of four children, used creative thinking to disrupt the shapewear industry. She attributes much of her creative process to problem-solving instincts sharpened during her motherhood days.

Time Management Skills: Every minute counts when you're squeezing client calls between diaper changes or poem recitals. Mothers learn to get more done in less time. They are always focused, decisive, and deliver, often outperforming peers who work longer, less focused hours.

For example, Rachel Hollis, entrepreneur and author, credits her ability to run multiple ventures while raising four kids to her non-negotiable routines and time-boxing strategies she learnt while raising her children.

Long-Term Planner: Mothers are wired to think long-term: education, health, values, relationships, culture, and growth. They invest in the future of their children. So, this mindset helps women managers plan sustainable growth, invest in their team’s development, and resist short-termism.

For example, Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code (founded in 2012), created a movement to prepare young women for the jobs of tomorrow, all while raising her kids. Her vision is generational, just like motherhood.