In boardrooms and breakrooms alike, the ability to make sound decisions under pressure is often viewed as the mark of a great leader. But in a world where agility, empathy, and resilience are more valuable than ever, traditional decision-making models are being challenged. This Mother’s Day, we turn to an often-overlooked leadership archetype: the working mother. Her daily balancing act offers powerful lessons for senior executives looking to lead with both head and heart.
The Power of Compassionate Decision Making in Business Leadership
In leadership circles, decision making is often measured by outcomes and efficiency. Yet, as businesses evolve in a post-pandemic era, people-first leadership is emerging as the defining trait of the modern executive. Compassionate decision making—rooted in empathy, fairness, and adaptability—has been shown to improve team morale, retention, and even profitability. Leaders who understand the human impact of their decisions build stronger cultures of trust and loyalty.
Why Working Mothers Are Natural Decision Makers
Working mothers navigate countless decisions every day. From negotiating flexible work schedules to managing school runs and strategic deadlines, they are constantly making trade-offs that balance logic with empathy.
Here are a few qualities working mothers model that leaders can learn from:
1. Emotional Intelligence Under Pressure
Whether it’s dealing with a sick child during a high-stakes meeting or handling difficult conversations with compassion, mothers often demonstrate high emotional agility. Leaders who take a cue from this learn to lead calmly and sensitively, even in crisis.
2. Prioritisation and Delegation
Time is always in short supply for working mothers. They become masters at identifying what truly matters, delegating where needed, and saying no to distractions. Executives can mirror this clarity in high-level strategic planning.
3. Inclusive Thinking
Mothers frequently consider the needs of others before making decisions. This habit of inclusive thinking leads to policies and strategies that benefit diverse stakeholder groups—a vital skill for any executive aiming to build an equitable workplace.
4. Resilience and Flexibility
The path of a working mother is rarely linear. Adjusting to unpredictability is part of the job. Leaders who adopt a similar mindset can guide their organisations through volatility with more confidence and calm.
Applying Compassionate Decision Making to the Workplace
Motherhood isn’t a prerequisite for great leadership, but the decision-making behaviours it cultivates offer a valuable blueprint:
- Lead with empathy: Ask how decisions affect individuals at all levels, not just the bottom line.
- Embrace adaptability: Create space for flexibility in policies and team workflows.
- Recognise and reward resilience: Use platforms like Rewardz to acknowledge the daily wins of your people, especially those juggling multiple responsibilities.
- Encourage inclusive decision making: Invite diverse voices into the conversation to make better, more human-centred choices.
Building a Culture That Supports Working Mothers and Learns from Them
Empowering working mothers isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a smart business decision. Companies that prioritise wellbeing, flexibility, and fair recognition are better positioned to attract top talent and foster loyalty.
Solutions like Rewardz enable forward-thinking organisations to reward effort meaningfully, whether through wellbeing incentives, peer-to-peer recognition, or custom campaigns around occasions like Mother’s Day.
Conclusion: The Heart of Better Decisions
Compassionate decision making is not a soft skill, it’s a strategic advantage. This Mother’s Day, as we honour the working mums who power both our homes and our economies, let’s take time to reflect on what their experiences can teach us about leadership.
By choosing empathy alongside efficiency, and people alongside performance, leaders can build cultures where everyone feels valued. And that’s a win worth rewarding.
