For me, finding some other women who were truly “breathing the same air I was breathing” is incredibly comforting and inspiring to stay the course, even when it is hard.  My hope is that this blog category can meet that need for each of you.  

Many of the women who have taught me the ropes have been a generation or two beyond where I am at in my career and family life, and have provided wonderful perspective and wisdom.  For the women I’ve met who are in a similar chapter in their lives, there is nothing more special in feeling known and being seen in the beautiful mix of struggle and blessing that show up concurrently every day.  And perhaps what I find most motivating is paving the way and making the path just a little bit easier through role modeling, providing flexibility, empathy and support for women who are a step behind in the journey and just starting their families (or may be thinking about doing so).

When I was named Working Mother of the Year, I deeply appreciated the opportunity to write a little bit about what I’ve tried to do as the leader of my team to support other working parents.  Below is the excerpt featured online by “Working Mother”.

When I first became responsible for Strategy, I was the only working mom with a young family. Today, 40% of my team are working mothers. I asked a direct report “if there was anything I did as a boss to help parents” she replied simply, “You make it all possible.”

Empathy, lack of guilt, mentorship and encouragement go a long way. The biggest thing I’ve learned as a leader in supporting employees juggling work and life has been having the courage to be vulnerable and unashamed in letting the mix of boss and mom show up in a real and authentic way. I give my team a line of sight into the full person and the “plates I’m spinning”. It gives others permission to do the same.

My team knows that when they need to deal with something (e.g., doctor’s appointments, emergency pick-up), they don’t need permission or to share the details. Parents keep a lot under wraps. Needing to notify your boss of every case of pinkeye, strep throat or stitches is embarrassing and it’s out of your control. In a high-trust relationship, you set and uphold the standard for excellence and let people rise, with the flexibility they need to achieve it. 

As a working parent, you need to be crystal clear about your priorities on a daily basis. My team sees me carve out time for what matters most to me (attending my kids’ major events; performing with my daughter in her school musical). In turn, the team sees me set up childcare and get in the trenches with them to get an important deliverable out. One of my core beliefs is: “Family comes first.  Career enables family.”  For me that has proved to be true. I could never provide the life I am giving my children if it were not for my career and being at a company that supports me so well.  It’s easy to fall into the mental trap of thinking that you need to prioritize your career OR your family.  I have found I’m most fulfilled when I’m giving my best to both.

Pictured from left to right: Rebecca Wallack, Sandy Saunders, Dr. Robert I. Grossman, Mary Enquist, Janet Gershner; Dr. Robert I. Grossman is the Dean and CEO of NYU Langone Health; R. Wallack, S. Saunders and J. Gershner are/were direct reports of Mary’s and all are working mothers

How do each of you think about supporting you teams and/or employees?  Are there any best practices you can share with the community?