The BEST job title I've ever had...

"Mom” is a precious title. I know that for LinkedIn purposes, “mom” is not a recognized job title, but it is the one I’ve worked at longest. This is the title that has given me the most worry, the most joy - the least sleep, and yet the most energy.

As a mom, at times we feel powerful…and other times, powerless. And no matter how long you’re “on the job”, experience as a mother doesn’t make you an expert. As with our work life, lessons are learned and taught daily.

As working people, we are always the integration of all the roles we play in life - so I embrace that my experience mothering my daughters impacts and informs my work life at The Nicotra Group . I gave up the idea of 'work-life balance' years ago - as a new mom, I read the books, blogs, posts and articles in an attempt to replicate what magic formula I thought worked for others, but as with our working styles, our mothering lives are a unique blend of who we are, what we wish to accomplish, the efforts we apply, and the variables that are out of our control.

So, 'work life integration' is my approach.

Motherhood means I'm in my community as a volunteer, a PTA mom - so it's important that my work and life are 'integrated', because (for me!) balance is a myth. If you meet me in the supermarket and would like to talk about office space, let's talk and get you set up to see that space. And if I meet you at the Hilton Garden Inn at an event and you mention that you saw me volunteering at an event at my daughters' school, we can chat about how you too can volunteer to give back to the school. We can't shut off one 'title' to become another.

Motherhood reminds me again and again that there is no one path - even with children born and raised in the same household, personalities, learning styles and lives can be very different. And as with those in our care, we too are different as we go through the seasons of motherhood. A valuable lesson for our careers.

Motherhood has taught me to celebrate major milestones - and little wins. In our home, we celebrate silly holidays, half birthdays, and anything that will make us smile. The Nicotras do that with Team Nicotra too - WORKiversaries, Harvest Festivals, Holiday Parties, Summer Barbecues, and pop-up smiles in between. Life is so hard and uncertain - bringing small joys to our days is the role of a leader, and the role of a mother.

Motherhood ignited a part of me that takes great pride in the growth of others. Mentoring and seeing others succeed brings joy to my life. I take 'third party pride" in the achievements of our Team, our Company and our Community. I feel motherhood ignited that in me - the thought that when we walk alongside others even for a moment, they carry a piece of us forward with them.

And parenting also taught me that titles are re-earned every day. I see both “mother” and “manager” as verbs. Action words that call us work hard to rise to each role.

Motherhood is filled with big emotions and demands empathy. I try to bring that to my work life too. And in wishing you a warm and peaceful Mother's Day, I know the day can be heavy for many reasons, and that doesn't escape me. Holidays make the absence of loved ones echo.

The pin pictured above was gifted to me after a Mother’s Day elementary school fair by my then 8 year old daughter…and it is absolutely priceless to me. I'll be wearing it tomorrow for Mother's Day Brunch in Nicotra's Ballroom and Dinner in Lorenzo's Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret on my blazer.

I'll be working on Mother's Day alongside the many parents employed at The Lois & Richard Nicotra Foundation and The Nicotra Group . We are enthusiastic about our service to our Hilton Garden Inn guests and our work for Lois and Richard Nicotra; the Nicotras tell their Team that they want our 'lives to be better because we chose to work' for them. Mr. and Mrs. Nicotra know our children and our families' names, and they provide college scholarships to our children and grandchildren. I think there is a big lesson here for our children about what type of work environment they should seek out.

Those in hospitality often plan ahead for holidays, or have a post-holiday-celebration. That's not a sad thing for us - it's part of the profession, and we love the joy that serving on holidays bring to our guests.

As for me, I've already celebrated Mother's Day with my own girls ahead of the holiday. I've been 'Mom' for longer than any outside-the-home job I've ever held - and it's taught me and changed me more than I could express. I may not have business cards for the title, but the Mother's Day cards are proudly displayed.

#team #work #love #experience #linkedin #workingmoms #workingparents #workingmother #mothersday2023