Mother's Day is a special day dedicated to celebrating and honoring our mothers and mother figures for their love, care, and hard work. It is a day to recognize the contributions of these amazing women in our lives and show them how much they mean to us.
Mother's Day is celebrated around the world, in mid-March in the United Kingdom and in May in North America. It is a time for families to come together to honor and appreciate mothers.
Mothers come in many forms, some traditional and some not so much. From biological to adopted, soon-to-be moms, stepmothers, den-mothers, and Godmothers, and, in short, every woman taking on the role of a mother to those who need love, kindness, understanding, and support.
The leadership role of a mother is varied, broad, deep and let’s face it hard work. Those of us who have been up all night with an ill child, who have paced the floor with a colicky newborn, or sweated out pre-exam jitters with teens, know that the role of mother has as many aspects as a beautifully cut cento diamond.
The history of Mother's Day dates to the early 20th century, when Anna Jarvis campaigned for a special day to honor mothers. Anna wanted to create a day that would recognize the sacrifices and hard work that mothers do every day. In 1914, her efforts paid off when Mother's Day was officially recognized as a national holiday in the United States. 
Mother's Day is now celebrated in many countries worldwide and has become a day to celebrate motherhood and show gratitude to mothers everywhere.
As a mother and grandmother and one who is blessed to still have her own mother alive and well, I feel humbled and grateful to have been led by a deeply loving, kind, and thoughtful woman. An Irish sense of humor, a colorful smattering of drama, Max Factor red lipstick that borders on indelible, and the ability to read a bedtime story like no other gave me the gift of kindness, and a love of literature and writing that I hold dear to this day.
But the role of a mother is not limited to those who have children as the characteristics and power of love are the key to bringing compassion and grace to families, businesses, leadership, and success.
When we take a quiet look at the gifts a mother brings, we see all the women who bring mothering when we need it most. From aunts, cousins, teachers, and neighbors so many women have taken up the mantle of love and guidance to those around them be they their own children or not. A mother's love is a powerful force that can inspire and guide us in all areas of life, including leadership.
In the workplace, mothers make excellent leaders. They bring their nurturing and empathetic qualities to the table, creating a supportive and inclusive culture that allows everyone to thrive.
They have a unique perspective that can help them to identify and address the needs of their team members, leading to greater engagement, productivity, and job satisfaction.
Moreover, mothers can be highly skilled at managing multiple priorities, a crucial trait in leadership. They are adept at balancing the demands of work and family, often juggling a wide range of responsibilities with grace and skill. This ability to multitask and prioritize can be invaluable in the workplace, where leaders must manage competing demands and navigate complex challenges.
The first project manager I ever hired was a young woman who did not have a degree or formal credentials but a story, which, upon hearing, sealed the deal. She explained that her husband had been deployed and she was set to join him a few months later. She did just that at only 20 years old with newborn twins in tow, perched on string seats on a cargo plane traveling halfway around the world completely on her OWN and never skipped a beat. Now that folks is how you become an accomplished Project Manager!
There are many ways to celebrate Mother's Day, from simple gestures of gratitude and love to grand displays of affection. Some people choose to give their mothers gifts or flowers, while others prefer to spend quality time together or share a meal. Whatever the approach, the most important thing is to make sure that mothers feel loved, appreciated, and valued on this special day.
It is an opportunity in our rushed and busy lives where we can stop, take stock, and just feel the memories of love and how much our mother brought to our life. This is even more important for those who do not have their mothers close by or for those whose mothers have passed away.
As we celebrate Mother's Day, let us remember our mothers present and absent and toast the wonder of the women who gave us life.
Happy Mother’s Day Mom!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: DINA O'REILLY
Dina is 4xi's growth lead, project management office and ghostwriter in residence all in one. To learn more about 4xi, you can contact Dina directly at dina@4xiconsulting.com or visit our website to learn more about who we are, what we do, and how we inspire a brighter future, together: www.4xiconsulting.com
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