This is an important secret I learned when I ran my manufacturing company: hire mothers. Now, when the hiring signs are going up all over the country, it becomes even more urgent. We need highly efficient workers who are result-driven and don’t waste time. What mother has an extra minute to waste? Mothers have to come up with creative ways to get results with limited resources, and that creativity can work for you.
I was facilitating a session on sales training for one of my Members this week and I was asked by a mother “how do I get out there and do networking when I have to get home and start the second shift?” We brainstormed how she did outreach in the past, and agreed to double down on the activities that had worked: Lunch meetings, connecting by phone, having a memorable 30 second elevator speech that she would give in social situation. Making sure to actually give it and not back down because it was a social situation. She grabbed the idea and plans to run with it.
I was recently asked how I ran a company and raised 2 amazing daughters. I’d say it wasn’t a perfect world. The competitor in my head thought I had to be a better leader than my Dad and a better mother than my Mom. My drive for results had me running through rather than enjoying a lot of moments. It was my Mom who said “enjoy every stage of your kids lives….the days go by so fast.” I had to learn to slow down, breathe and appreciate. I watched how other mothers did it – mothers I hired, my friends, my big sister – we figured this out together.
Maximizing the time available for work at home and in the office as well as being there for the important moments is standard stuff for mothers.
On this Mother’s Day, ask the mothers you know for one tip that could make you more efficient. Thank you to all the mothers who give so much, and teach us how to be better people. And if you have the hiring sign out tomorrow – hire mothers.
photo courtesy of the BLS