Balancing the demands of parenthood with a thriving career is an ongoing challenge for working parents, especially for women. And it is easy to list the potential ‘disadvantages’ or ‘less desirable’ qualities affecting our career choices and progression (be honest, are you listing them in your head now?!) We cannot shy away from the fact that we have some distance to travel with some of this, however, becoming a parent might actually be the competitive advantage you and your employers have been looking for!

Being a parent has equipped you with tools and qualities you can harness to advance your professional success and elevate your career to new heights. In fact,  you have been developing and honing unique skills, talents (and resilience) every single day!

Here are just some of the benefits that working mums bring to the workplace and why you are an asset and talent worth embracing.

Exceptional Time Management and Efficiency
 

As a parent, you are no stranger to the art of juggling multiple responsibilities. This skill directly translates into the workplace, where effective time management and prioritization are key. Utilize your ability to balance commitments, and efficiently allocate your time to meet deadlines and accomplish tasks. By demonstrating exceptional time management skills, you’ll establish yourself as reliable and valuable.

Problem-solving and Adaptability 

 

Parenting often presents unexpected challenges that require quick thinking and adaptability. Your ability to find creative solutions in demanding situations is a valuable asset. Use your problem-solving skills to analyze complex issues, generate innovative ideas, and overcome obstacles. Embrace change and demonstrate your adaptability, your resilience and ability to thrive in dynamic work environments.

Enhanced Emotional Intelligence

 

Parenting instils us with a heightened sense of emotional intelligence. You could possess a deep understanding of emotions and empathy, enabling you to connect with others on a profound level. This contributes to better teamwork, conflict resolution, and employee morale.

Multitasking

 

Parents are masters of multitasking. This aptitude transfers seamlessly to the workplace, allowing you to excel in fast-paced environments where multitasking is crucial. Embrace your capacity to handle multiple projects, switch gears efficiently, and maintain focus amidst distractions to demonstrate your exceptional multitasking skills.

Effective Communication

 

Being a mum necessitates clear and effective communication with your children, teachers, and other caregivers. This is a great asset in the workplace, where strong communication skills are essential for collaboration, leadership, and building relationships. Utilize your ability to listen attentively and express your ideas concisely. By fostering effective communication, you’ll establish yourself as a persuasive and influential professional.

Take a moment to reflect on your journey and how all of your skills have changed, developed and grown since becoming a parent. What are you now capable of?

“Parenting is a transformative journey that pushes you to grow, evolve, and discover strengths you never knew you had.”

– Brene Brown

It is an easy narrative to say that becoming a parent has had a negative impact on you bossing the career you want for yourself, and we can’t ignore some of the shocking statistics out there at the moment. But I challenge you to reframe your journey and use motherhood as your superpower, your competitive advantage to elevate your professional success.

How will you use your developed superpowers to skyrocket your career?

Vicky Harrison, is a qualified and accredited coach and NLP practitioner. She qualified and set up her business with two children under two years old and believes mindset, balance and practical strategies are all key components to thrive as a busy, ambitious mum. You can get in touch with Vicky at https://www.careeringintomotherhood.com/coach/vicky-harrison/

 

May 31, 2023