Why Mothers Make Strong Business Leaders

Having strong and decisive leadership is intrinsic to an organisation’s success and development. Being an effective leader requires an individual with qualities such as effective communication, resilience, vision and empathy; traits which are also frequently attributed to mothers.

There is a reason why woman-owned businesses experienced a revenue growth rate of 21%, from 2014 – 2019, in comparison to all other firms whose revenue was 20%, according to a report conducted by American Express[1] . A good mother makes a great leader.

For many, turning to a mother in times of crisis is natural, our mothers tend to know the right thing to say to make things appear better. Mothers are organised and prioritise the wellbeing of the family above all else. When these virtues are applied to a business, you get leaders who can make tough decisions in times of crisis. This is best exemplified by the leadership in AI Global Media; an enterprise founded by three mothers, who recently made the decision to mobilise their workforce, enabling them to work from home, two weeks prior to the UK government’s official request for this action to be undertaken.

It wasn’t just the success of businesses which concerned the directors, rather the wellbeing of their workforce was forefront in their minds as they determined their course of action. Consequently, the AI Global Media staff’s confidence that their employers care for them, allowed them to accept news of reductions to their working hours, when recent developments made such an action necessary to ensure the longevity of the business.

Balancing work and home life is difficult for any care giver, as Kathryn Hall, one of the three female founders and current mother and director, alongside Jane Henderson (mother & director) and Tony Garner (father & director), at AI Global Media identified, ‘I’m not sure how I feel about the term ‘Momtrepreneur’, it’s certainly not a term I would use in a verbal conversation! I do however recognise that there are many mothers who are also business owners and business leaders, juggling their two lives and doing a great job! I do believe that my time as a mother has had a really positive impact on my work and my role as a business leader.  I run a media business based in Staffordshire with my two business partners and can honestly say that I view the business very differently as a mother.’