Leading Like "Ma Tucks": What My Mother Taught Me About Adaptive Leadership

In a recent interview for a leadership coaching role, I was asked about my understanding and experience in leadership.

Candidly, it was a good question. I responded by saying:

“I did not arrive at a view of leadership from the academic study of it, but in the trenches of the real world, and by being seated at the decision making table as a political consultant and speechwriter long before I had any “right” to be there…”

This article is, in essence, my expanded answer to that question.

Instead, I wish to reflect on the profound influence of my mother’s kitchen table, where countless conversations and shared experiences instilled in me the values and principles that continue to guide my leadership philosophy today.

Leadership, for me, has never been an academic pursuit. I’ve never studied it in a classroom or from a textbook. My leadership stripes were earned on the front lines very early, starting in the crucible of teenage ambition. For example, at a 16 year old, I was already leading the charge as the student representative on the school board of my high school, Ferncourt High (St. Ann, Jamaica), first speaker and captain of the debating team, as well as the valedictorian who said goodbye to High School with a flourish.

I was also a budding community leader, becoming the youngest member of the Claremont Community Action Development Committee (CLARECODAC), a civic initiative dedicated to developing my local community and raising awareness about social challenges.

My trajectory was clear. By the time I was 21 years old, fresh out of college, I was handpicked for a youth advisory council under the tutelage of former Prime Minister of Jamaica, PJ Patterson. The corridors of power became my classroom, where I honed my skills as a political consultant and speechwriter for the Government of Jamaica. These experiences weren’t just stepping stones. They were a masterclass in leadership, lessons etched into my DNA that now fuel my passion for coaching others to reach their full potential.

Lessons in Leadership from Ma

Yet, looking back on my earliest lessons in leadership, I can’t help but go back to my childhood in rural Jamaica, to the formidable figure of my mother, Jane Elizabeth Tucker — “Ma Tucks” — as my siblings and I affectionately called her. Born on September 11, 1948, just as the world was emerging from the shadow of World War II, ‘Ma Tucks’, the second of fraternal twins, embodied the spirit of a new era — a fiercely independent, determined educator and entrepreneur. She embodied every style of leadership imaginable all rolled into one extraordinary woman.

Authoritarian Leadership

If you’ve ever encountered a Caribbean parent, you’d know that they lead with an iron fist. Ma Tucks was a prime example. With an undeniably authoritarian style, she ruled our roost. Her word was the law and we obeyed without question. Poor woman. She managed three children at home, and hundreds more as an early childhood educator. Her methods were akin to a military operation, ensuring chores were completd on schedule. Unfinished tasks resulted in swift punishment, and sibling squabbles over responsibilities turned her into both judge and jury.

Yet, beneath that firm exterior, Ma Tucks was also a transformational leader with a clear vision for her family’s future. Growing up in a country where opportunities were limited, she was the queen of the side hustle, demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit that knew no bounds. She operated a neighborhood grocery shop, baked and sold pastries, and pursued any avenue to create additional income beyond her regular paycheck. Her actions painted a vivid picture of ambition and resourcefulness, inspiring her children to strive for more.

Like many Jamaican parents, Ma Tucks saw education as a golden ticket out of poverty and a pathway to personal development. So, she relentlessly pushed us to succeed. Summer vacations weren’t just for relaxation; they transformed into Ma Tucks’ makeshift summer school, where my siblings and I were the sole students. She drilled us on reading, writing, and mathematical problem-solving (I’m still failing math to this day, despite her valiant efforts!), ensuring we stayed ahead. Later, she sacrificed her own needs to support my aspiration for a career in broadcast journalism, funding my voice and speech classes.

Democratic Leadership

Although Caribbean parents are known for their firm and decisive leadership approach, let’s be clear. Ma Tucks’ leadership was not devoid of democracy. Every week, we’d gather for family meetings. Ma would outline her plans for her business, review our progress at school, and solicited our opinions on various family matters. As a serial entrepreneur, Ma Tucks made decisions that aligned with her vision for economic empowerment, and she expected us to share that vision. Feedback was encouraged, as she saw this as a way of keeping us aligned with the vision of success she had for her family.

She led by example too. At 60 years old, she went back to school to earn her high school diploma, attending evening classes alongside teenagers at the local high school. She later pursued various certificate courses in interior design, cake decorating and floral arrangement to bolster her businesses, demonstrating her unwavering belief in education, personal growth and lifelong learning.

Ethical Leadership

Ma Tucks also exemplified ethical leadership. A devout Christian, she instilled in us a strong moral compass. Her faith guided her actions, and expected us to live by the same principles. She’d often recite scriptures (still does!) as a reminder to us of the importance of living a principled life. Her ethos was firmly intertwined with the Church, and she didn’t want to appear hypocritical. Her ethos was also weirdly rooted in “shame”. She didn’t want to be shamed by our actions especially in the eyes of the Church community she serves. Above all, she valued character. It was paramount to her that we developed into individuals of strong moral fiber, and good character.

As we grew older, her leadership style evolved, becoming more transactional. It’s kinda hard to tell exactly when this happened, but instead of demanding attendance at Church, she’d simply ask if we wanted to join her. Sometimes, for fun, we we’d go. Other transactions were more serious where we had to make our own decisions, some of which were not always right but she transformed herself into our advisor, our guide and mentor.

Servant Leadership

When we faced illness or needed support, Ma Tucks, like many parents, transformed into a servant leader. She’d nurse us back to health with unwavering empathy and compassion. Even as her children embarked on their own journeys — me to New Zealand and Australia, my brother to two tours in Iraq with the American military after 9/11, and my sister from rural Jamaica to the city — my mother remained a constant source of emotional support and strength, demonstrating a selfless dedication to her family’s well-being. She also extended that care to others, visiting the sick, praying for them, and bringing them food.

Personal Leadership

But perhaps the most profound lesson Ma Tucks taught me is in the area of personal leadership. It was about the importance of agency. She instilled in each of us a sense of personal responsibility for our own lives. We were each responsible for our own progress and the kind of people we would become; she empowered us to take ownership and forge our own paths, put our health and well-being first, and become the best versions of ourselves. Reflecting on her leadership, I realize that Ma Tucks wasn’t just a mother; she was a whole class in leadership. Her greatest legacy was not just her business ventures or accomplishments. It was the leaders she raised.

To truly understand and experience leadership, ditch the textbooks and look to the leaders in your own life. You might be surprised at the lessons they have to teach about leading with adaptability and heart — just like “Ma Tucks”.

Key Takeaways: Leadership Lessons from “Ma Tucks”

Unlocking “Ma Tucks” leadership playbook reveals the secrets to adaptable, compassionate, and empowering leadership:

• Adaptability: Ma Tucks seamlessly switched between leadership styles, demonstrating that effective leaders adjust their approach to fit the situation.
• Vision & Determination: Ma Tucks had a clear vision for her family’s future and relentlessly pursued it, emphasizing the importance of setting goals and persevering.
• Education & Growth: Ma Tucks prioritized education and lifelong learning, both for herself and her children, illustrating that leadership is about continuous self-improvement.
• Ethical Foundation: Ma Tucks led with strong moral principles, highlighting the importance of integrity and values in leadership.
• Empowerment & Agency: Ma Tucks fostered a sense of personal responsibility and encouraged her children to take ownership of their lives, underscoring the importance of empowering others to lead themselves.
• Compassion & Service: Ma Tucks showed compassion and care for others, demonstrating that empathy is a critical component of effective leadership.

Overall, Ma Tucks exemplifies that leadership is multifaceted and can be learned through experience and observation. Her legacy is not just her accomplishments, but the leaders she raised, highlighting the impact a strong leader can have on shaping future generations.

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Dr. Hume Johnson is a leadership coach and professor of communication. She empowers individuals and organizational teams to leverage their personal brand for exceptional performance and leadership success. She is the author of three books, including the popular personal branding guide, Brand YOU: Reinvent Yourself, Redefine Your Future.