Mother's day lesson to managers

Lessons on how to manage people don’t all come from the classroom. 

Sometimes they come from life.

This Sunday 10th of May will be Mother’s Day.

Let me share with you a very important lesson on how to be a better manager and person that came from Mother’s Day, a few years ago.

I was reading an article about the meaning of Mother’s Day, which was written in the magazine of Melbourne’s Royal Women’s Hospital.   In the article they asked Associate Professor John McBain about his thoughts on Mother’s Day.  McBain is an international expert in IVF and has worked in the area longer than any other specialist in the world.

Thanks to his great work, many women have become mothers. A notable achievement!

In the interview, McBain agreed that it was a great time to celebrate Mothers all around the world.   But, he added, every Mother’s Day he reflects on all those women who have wanted to become mothers, but it has not happened.   He really feels for those women, who have a profound sadness it not being able to become pregnant and have a child.

Thanks to his great work, many women have become mothers. A notable achievement!

In the interview, McBain agreed that it was a great time to celebrate Mothers all around the world.   But, he added, every Mother’s Day he reflects on all those women who have wanted to become mothers, but it has not happened.   He really feels for those women, who have a profound sadness it not being able to become pregnant and have a child.

I think McBain’s reflection presents a very important lesson for all managers and leaders on how to be better.   

To really understand the impact of events on people, we need to focus our attention to not only “the winners”.   Sometimes we need to think hard about how events may affect the quiet minority.

Will the restructure be a positive move forward for everyone?

Will the relocation of the business be great news for everyone?

Will the change of work practices be better for everyone?

Managing change works out much better when managers have a more complete picture of the implications of the change on everyone, not just some, or most. 

Having this 100% view takes effort and skill.    It is one of the elements of having a higher level of Emotional Intelligence.

It would have been easy for Associate Professor John McBain to simply accept all the backslaps for his dedicated work in IVF, including the numerous letters of thanks and gifts, from the thousands of women and couples, he has helped over the years.   

What makes McBain truly great is that he thinks of the others, those women that don’t come out as mothers from IVF.

The empathy for all his patients is as highly commendable as his undoubted medical skill and intellect.

Similarly, managers become more effective, more complete when they have an awareness and empathy for all their staff, not just some.

Daniel Goleman in his best-selling book, “Working with Emotional Intelligence” describes this capability as having a “Social Radar”.

Being aware of the feelings of others puts managers in a more strategic position to manage and lead.   As Stephen Covey wrote in his book, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” it is important to first understand before we try to be understood.

What do you think?  What has Mother’s Day, motherhood or your Mum taught you?  What lessons can we apply to the workplace?  

Please feel free to share and Happy Mother’s Day!

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