Five Truths I Discovered About Leadership, Motherhood, and the Beautiful Mess In Between: Reflections as My Daughter Turns One

As the CEO of Piercing Strategies and a keynote speaker who often challenges the notion that we must be "ready" before taking bold steps, this past year has been my most profound case study yet. Becoming a mother to my daughter while leading a leadership development firm has taught me lessons that no business school could have prepared me for. Here are five revelations that have deepened my understanding of both leadership and life:

1. The "Ready is a Lie" Philosophy Hits Different When You're Holding a Baby

When I wrote "I Can, I Will, Watch Me" and began speaking about how "Ready is a Lie," I thought I understood the concept fully. Then motherhood arrived. Between midnight strategy sessions and early morning client calls with a baby on my lap, I realized that my message wasn't just a professional philosophy—it was a survival strategy. No one is ever truly ready for the dual challenges of motherhood and leadership, and that's exactly the point. We grow into our roles by embracing the beautiful chaos of the journey.

2. Leadership Development Starts at Home

As I guide executives through transformational leadership programs at Piercing Strategies, my daughter is teaching me the most fundamental leadership lessons. Patience isn't just a virtue—it's a skill that needs constant refinement. Active listening takes on new meaning when your audience can't fully verbalize their needs. And authenticity? There's nothing more authentic than leading a virtual workshop while your baby decides it's the perfect time for an impromptu vocal performance.

3. Time Management is Actually Energy Management

One of the core principles we teach at Piercing Strategies is effective resource allocation. Motherhood has radically transformed how I view this concept. It's not just about managing time—it's about managing energy. Sometimes, being a great leader means knowing when to close the laptop and fully immerse yourself in floor time with your little one. Other times, it means teaching by example as you power through important deadlines, showing your child what dedication looks like.

4. Vulnerability is Your Superpower

In my keynotes, I often discuss the power of showing up as your authentic self. This year has given me countless opportunities to practice what I preach. When my daughter made an unexpected appearance during a high-stakes client presentation, it led to one of the most genuine and connecting moments I've experienced in my career. Our clients don't just want polished perfection—they want real, relatable leaders who can navigate life's complexities while staying true to themselves.

5. The Only Constant is Growth

At Piercing Strategies, we emphasize that leadership development is a continuous journey, not a destination. Motherhood has amplified this truth tenfold. Every day brings new challenges, unexpected joys, and opportunities for growth. Just when you think you've mastered one phase, everything changes—and that's exactly where the magic happens.

As I reflect on this transformative year as a working mother, I'm struck by how perfectly my personal journey aligns with the core message of my work: You don't have to be ready to begin. You just have to be willing to grow, learn, and sometimes stumble along the way. Whether I'm developing leadership strategies for Fortune 500 executives or figuring out how to join a board meeting with a sleeping baby, one truth remains constant: The most meaningful growth happens when we embrace the journey, imperfections and all.

To all the working parents out there: You're not just managing a delicate balance—you're pioneering a new way of leading, one that's more human, more authentic, and ultimately more impactful. And to my daughter: Thank you for being my greatest teacher in both leadership and love.

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