A Secret to Business Success - The Overlooked Powerhouse

In the bustling landscape of modern business, companies are constantly seeking the formula for success. There are more and more businesses competing in the same space and craving a real competitive advantage.

Yet, amidst the strategies and metrics, there's a crucial element often overlooked. And it’s overlooked because it’s not easy, there is no short-term tactic that will enable these businesses to tap into this opportunity.

I’m referring here to the workforce of working mothers.

These powerhouses of talent, experience, and resilience are undervalued assets that, when recognised and supported, can drive businesses to new heights of success.

The Bottom Line

Tapping into this powerhouse resource is important for the bottom line. And it starts with a focus on gender diversity.

Here are some statistics on why gender diversity matters to business success:

• According to McKinsey, companies in the top quartile for gender diversity are 25% more likely to have above-average profitability.
• A study by Boston Consulting Group found that companies with more diverse management teams generate 19% more revenue from innovation.
• Grant Thornton's International Business Report indicates that businesses with diverse leadership teams have a 15% higher annualized return on investment.

And while there has been push back on some of the methodologies and results in these types of studies, it’s undeniable that businesses with a more balanced leadership profile outperform those that don’t.

And gender diversity is a key element of this.

So why do we see so few female leaders succeed in business?

The Broken Pipeline of Female Leaders

One of the reasons for this is the broken pipeline of female leaders.

Let’s face it, all mothers are women and unless they see themselves represented in leadership, unless the business enables female advancement, the pipeline will continue to be broken.

Globally, women are underrepresented in top executive roles. According to a report by Catalyst, women hold just 29% of senior management roles globally.

This disparity isn't due to a lack of qualified women or because women are less ambitious than men, but rather systemic barriers such as gender bias, limited access, and challenges in balancing responsibilities.

Women at work are surrounded by glass: glass ceilings, glass wall, glass cliffs – it’s a treacherous place to be.

By undervaluing working mothers, businesses perpetuate this broken pipeline, missing out on a vast pool of leadership potential and hindering their own growth and success.

Forcing mothers – and all caregivers – to fit into a narrow definition of acceptable ways of working means that the barriers to advancement are raised even higher for these individuals. And no matter how ambitious they are, there is no way to succeed without buying into the systemic burnout culture that we see in many corporates.

By changing how we approach the structure of work, we can tap into a powerhouse of leadership-ready talent globally.

The Leadership-Ready Pipeline

Here I’m referring specifically to working mothers who bring a universe of talent to the table. And it’s skills and abilities that have been hard won in the battlefields at work and at home!

Generally speaking, here are 6 skills they typically bring:

1. Time Management: Working mothers are masters of time management. They excel at prioritising tasks, meeting deadlines, and efficiently allocating their time. This is invaluable in fast-paced business environments where productivity and efficiency are crucial.
2. Problem-Solving: Parenthood often presents unexpected challenges that require quick thinking and creative problem-solving. Working mothers bring this agility and adaptability to the workplace, effectively tackling complex problems, finding innovative solutions, and navigating obstacles with resilience.
3. Communication: Effective communication is key to success in any role. Working mothers have honed their communication skills through daily interactions with children, partners, and colleagues. They excel at conveying ideas clearly, listening actively, building rapport, and fostering positive relationships within teams and with clients or customers.
4. Resilience: Juggling work and family responsibilities requires a high level of resilience. Working mothers are adept at bouncing back from setbacks, managing stress, and maintaining a positive attitude in challenging situations. This resilience enables them to stay focused, motivated, and productive even during demanding periods.
5. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Parenthood fosters empathy and emotional intelligence, traits that are highly valued in the workplace. Working mothers excel at understanding others' perspectives, managing conflicts diplomatically, and building strong interpersonal connections. Their empathy and emotional intelligence contribute to effective leadership, teamwork, and customer relations.
6. Innovative Thinking: The ability to think creatively and find innovative solutions is a hallmark of working mothers. Whether it's streamlining processes to save time or devising new strategies for work-life balance, these individuals bring fresh perspectives that spur innovation within organizations. Embracing their ideas fosters a culture of creativity and forward-thinking.

These skills collectively make working mothers valuable assets in the business world, bringing a unique blend skills and talents that are the very core of the modern leadership requirements.

And if that doesn’t convince you here are more reason to hire and promote working mothers:

1. Dedication and Commitment: The dedication of working mothers is unparalleled. Juggling professional responsibilities with caregiving duties showcases a level of commitment and perseverance that directly translates to the workplace. These individuals are adept at prioritising tasks, meeting deadlines, and staying focused amidst challenges—all qualities that contribute to business success.
2. Employee Engagement and Retention: Supporting working mothers isn't just about attracting talent; it's also about retaining it. Companies that prioritise balance, offer parental leave policies, and provide flexibility see higher levels of employee engagement and satisfaction. This, in turn, reduces turnover rates and the associated costs, boosts morale, and contributes to a more positive and productive work environment.
3. Brand Reputation and Corporate Social Responsibility: In an era where corporate social responsibility is paramount, businesses that champion diversity, equity, and inclusion—including support for working mothers—enhance their brand reputation. Customers, investors, and partners gravitate towards companies that demonstrate a genuine commitment to their employees' well-being and advancement.
4. Legal Compliance and Future-Proofing: With evolving regulations and societal expectations around gender equality and family-friendly workplaces, businesses that undervalue working mothers risk falling behind. Compliance with legal requirements is non-negotiable, and proactive measures to support working parents not only ensure compliance but also future-proof the company against changing norms and expectations.

It Just Make Sense

Embracing and empowering working mothers isn't just a matter of fairness—it's a strategic decision that fuels business growth, innovation, and success. By recognising the immense value they bring and creating an inclusive environment that supports their advancement, businesses can tap into a powerhouse of talent and leadership potential that drives long-term prosperity.

It's time to stop penalising mothers for the often short term accommodations they need and to start building better ways of working.

It's time to break the cycle of the broken pipeline and unlock the full potential of working mothers in the business world.