If you had asked me twenty years ago about leadership, I would never have connected it to motherhood.

I might have even laughed out loud and said, “Me a leader? Nope, I’m just a mom.”

But as the mother of six kids, I’ve learned that there’s nothing “just” about motherhood.

In fact, it’s one of the most powerful forms of leadership out there.

My journey into motherhood was one I embraced wholeheartedly.

Raising six children means you quickly learn a thing or two (or two thousand!) about management, patience, conflict resolution, time management, and yes—leadership.

Back then, I wouldn’t have thought to call it leadership. I simply saw it as part of being a good mom.

But now that many of my children have grown and left home, I find myself taking the skills I learned as a mom and applying them to my career as a motivational speaker and women’s empowerment advocate.

Suddenly, it’s crystal clear: motherhood prepared me better than anything else for the leadership roles I take on today.

Leadership in the Everyday

When we think of leaders, we often think of CEOs or politicians.

But the truth is, leadership starts much closer to home.

If you’ve ever tried getting six kids ready for school on time, you know exactly what I mean.

As a mother, I learned to lead with compassion and strength.

It wasn’t always easy, of course.

There were chaotic mornings, disagreements, and tears (sometimes mine!).

But over time, those moments taught me invaluable lessons.

For example, conflict resolution was a daily exercise.

With six kids, it wasn’t uncommon to referee disagreements about everything from whose turn it was to sit in the front seat, to who took the last cookie from the cookie jar.

I learned to listen carefully, validate feelings, set clear boundaries, and communicate effectively—all essential leadership skills.

Motherhood also taught me patience.

You learn quickly that things rarely go according to plan.

You need to stay flexible, adaptable, and calm under pressure.

Trust me, nothing prepares you to handle last-minute changes and unexpected crises quite like parenthood.

Transferring Motherhood Skills to the Professional World

Being a stay-at-home mom was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Still, once my kids started leaving home, I wondered how my skills would transfer to the professional world.

Surprisingly, when I began exploring motivational speaking, it was eye-opening to realize how many skills motherhood had given me that translated directly into leadership and professional development.

I saw that motherhood had uniquely prepared me to inspire others.

For example, motivational speaking requires empathy—understanding your audience’s struggles, desires, and goals.

Mothers become natural experts in empathy; we’re always tuned into the needs of our children.

We anticipate their worries, celebrate their victories, and support their growth.

Those are precisely the same skills needed to effectively connect with any audience.

Moreover, raising six unique individuals has taught me how to tailor messages for different personalities.

Every child responds differently to encouragement, discipline, and advice.

The same goes for adults.

As a leader and speaker, I find myself tapping into that intuition every day, ensuring my messages resonate deeply and authentically.

Empowering Women with Confidence

My focus now is empowering women to step into their strength and confidence. And again, motherhood played a vital role in teaching me how to do this.

As mothers, our role is not just to nurture, but to empower.

We encourage our children to be brave, try new things, stand up for themselves, and believe in their own abilities.

Yet, somehow, we often struggle to do the same for ourselves.

This realization led me to where I am today—helping women recognize their own strength.

Too often, women—especially mothers—downplay their skills, saying they’re “just” a mom.

But the reality is, the experience gained through motherhood provides unmatched leadership qualities.

Through my podcast, speaking engagements, and one-on-one coaching, I now remind women that the skills they’ve developed as mothers—resilience, adaptability, emotional intelligence, empathy—make them powerful leaders in their homes, careers, and communities.

Recognizing Motherhood as True Leadership

The more I speak to women, the more I recognize the hidden leaders around us.

Mothers who organize community events, start businesses, or advocate for better schools—they’re everywhere.

Yet, often, they don’t see themselves as leaders, because society hasn’t always made room for motherhood in conversations about leadership.

But motherhood is leadership in its purest form.

Mothers are guiding individuals, managing personalities, and empowering growth.

They’re setting examples every day, even when no one else sees.

Additionally, mothers are balancing multiple responsibilities, making tough decisions, and learning continually.

That’s leadership, plain and simple.

It’s time to change the narrative.

Women need to embrace motherhood as powerful training for leadership roles.

Recognizing these skills helps women move confidently into new areas, whether it’s returning to work, starting businesses, volunteering, or pursuing their dreams.

Finding Fulfillment Beyond Motherhood

My story isn’t unique. Many women find themselves at a crossroads once their children have grown.

After pouring their lives into motherhood, they’re unsure of what comes next.

My experience has taught me that the answer is usually right there in front of us—we simply need to recognize the valuable leadership skills we’ve already gained.

Today, my fulfillment comes not just from raising my wonderful kids, but from helping other women discover their worth, their voice, and their leadership potential.

As a motivational speaker, I’m dedicated to reminding mothers that their roles have prepared them to make meaningful differences in the world around them.

If you’re a mother wondering, “What’s next?” trust that you’ve already been preparing for this moment.

You’ve been building a lifetime of experience in leadership, compassion, conflict resolution, communication, adaptability, and strength.

Don’t downplay that experience—embrace it!

A Call to Action

It’s my sincere hope that all mothers reading this recognize the power within themselves.

If you’ve spent years nurturing your family, understand that you’ve been preparing for something even bigger.

Whether it’s a new career, volunteer opportunities, entrepreneurship, or simply taking on a more active role in your community, trust that you have everything you need to succeed.

And if you ever find yourself doubting your abilities, remember this: there’s no such thing as being “just” a mom.

You are a leader, capable of changing lives, empowering others, and making the world a better place—one person, one audience, and one speech at a time.

Motherhood and leadership aren’t just connected—they’re inseparable.

So, moms, step forward confidently.

Your experiences have shaped you into a leader the world needs.

It’s your time to shine.