This Sunday is Mother’s Day, a day to celebrate each mother or mothering figure who plays an important role in the life of a child. This is the day to recognize all that mothers do, and to simply say, thank you.
I was doing a bit of reading about leadership this past week and came across a detailed list[1], characterizing traits of those known as transformational leaders. In looking over the list, I couldn’t help but think how closely it mirrored what a caring mother tries to do everyday in the service of her children.
Caring mothers:
- Emphasize intrinsic motivation and positive development of followers;
- Raise awareness of moral standards;
- Highlight important priorities;
- Foster higher moral maturity in followers;
- Create an ethical climate (share values, high ethical standards);
- Encourage followers to look beyond self-interests to the common good;
- Promote cooperation and harmony;
- Use authentic, consistent means;
- Use persuasive appeals based on reason;
- Provide individual coaching and mentoring for followers;
- Appeal to the ideals of followers; and
- Allow freedom of choice for followers.
A caring mother also bandages scraped knees, wipes away tears, cooks favourite meals, cooks not-so-favourite meals, and endures cries of, “You just don’t understand!” She takes on a seemingly endless array of daily duties that may frustrate, annoy or simply wear her out. But she is also blessed with moments that allow her to transcend the day-to-day as she helps her child move one step closer to the person she hopes her son or daughter will become. She leaves behind the mundane and brings to the forefront of her mind and heart the hopes and dreams she holds for her child. In these moments, she is a transformational mother. In helping her child aspire to be the best they can be, her life and the lives of her child are transformed together and for the better.
So to each transformational mother out there, thank you for all you do. Thank you for persevering through those seemingly thankless moments while never doubting your ability to change a life for the better.
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[1] Johnson, C. (2015). Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Leadership: Casting Light or Shadow. United States: Sage Publications.