Four things my Mother taught me about leadership

A reflection on Mothers Day on what you can learn from yours

Four things my Mother taught me about leadership

A photo looking out over my Parents farm at Sunset that I took last Summer. We were very lucky to grow up here.

On this weekend just gone, I gave my Mother a call in the morning, it has become a bit of a ritual to remember all the things that your Mother has done for you and to make sure you tell them on Mother’s Day (great work all you Mother’s out there giving it your all, you are amazing). However, it got me thinking, so much of us comes from our childhood. The environment established by those important people in their lives, and many of us would say that there was one person who established or fostered that environment. Our Mother's… If you grew up in a household with some other form of parental figure who showed these attributes, then please replace Mother with that person, and know that they are as important on this special day.

I come from a small country town an I am the eldest of three brothers, we were on a small farm and caused all sorts of mischief ranging from slug guns to falling out of trees (but what a view). We challenged our Mother, but she taught us a great deal. So, here are 4 things that I think my Mother has taught me about leadership;

Great things come from a place of selflessness

I can scarcely remember my Mother putting herself first. Perhaps a bath by herself with a book, or making us three boys pose for a photo for her wall — but not very often. She showed me the power of giving without obligation. Adam Grant revolutionised how we think about this type of behaviour in the book “Give and Take” (I’ve included a link to the Ted video below). Adam describes that those people who give, all the time, may not seem successful by some everyday measures. However, the data continues to show that the organisations with high numbers of givers are more successful (most people are ‘matchers’, they believe in give and take and that things all even out). Not only are the organisations more successful, but those people who are givers, in the long run, are the most successful — and the most happy.

My Mother didn’t have a lot to give, she fought hard for all that we had, but she still gave of herself and her time. She volunteered calling Bingo, she coached my under 8 football…