The Leadership Blind Spot: Why the World’s Business Leaders Don’t Get Working Mothers

Ever noticed how many of the world’s top leaders are a group of people who will never be mothers? (And it's through no fault of their own - most are men who naturally can’t experience motherhood.)

But here’s the catch:

While they are busy pushing businesses to new heights and obsessing over “winning” in the corporate arena, they often miss a crucial piece of the puzzle.

They don't understand what it’s like to be a working mother. They miss the fact that working mothers are not just balancing tasks but are also evolving through an intense process of growth. We’re not static; we’re constantly merging and navigating the identities of mother, professional, and all the other roles we play in life. The sleepless nights, the juggling act between conference calls and bedtime stories, and the mental load of planning and coordinating family life while meeting professional demands are part of this transformation.

And maybe, just maybe, they don’t want to understand it. It’s easier to blame our time management, our capacity, or our family commitments than to confront the uncomfortable truth.

Here’s the reality: The business structures most leaders champion are often outdated and don’t cater to the modern working mother or any caregiver. They’re designed for a world where someone else takes care of the home, the children, and all the emotional labor that goes into family life.

But there’s more to this story. Through the theory of matrescence, we know that motherhood is not a step back, but a step forward. We’re becoming more - not less - of who we are meant to be. We are evolving into stronger, more productive, and more focused beings. This transformation, however, can be intimidating to those who don’t experience it.

Here’s the thing: If you’re not a working mother going through this profound change, how could you possibly understand the depth of it? Human beings often fear what they don’t know or don’t understand. This fear can lead to resistance against embracing the new and extraordinary capabilities that working mothers are developing.

So, what happens? We’re pressured to fit into spaces that don’t work for us. We’re expected to mould ourselves into roles that simply aren’t designed for our reality. And when we struggle, the blame is placed on us, rather than on the structures that fail to accommodate our needs.

It’s time to recognise that the fault isn’t ours. It’s the system that’s broken. We are not the problem; we are the solution. We’re not asking for sympathy or special treatment. We’re asking for a reimagined structure that acknowledges and supports our dual roles as professionals and caregivers. We're asking the world to examine the value that is placed on motherhood and working motherhood. We're asking the world to understand what's really going on.

To all the working mothers out there: You are not failing; you are navigating a flawed system. It’s time to push back against the outdated expectations and advocate for a work environment that respects and supports your reality.

Feeling overwhelmed by a system that doesn’t fit you? DM me to discuss how to navigate these challenges and advocate for a change that works for everyone