Does Parenting Build Leadership Skills?
by Susan Murhpy, Ph.D. While common sense might lead us to believe that singlefocused, workaholic employees who work long hours would be promoted most often, the opposite appears to be happening. Current research is finding that, in many cases, women who are mothers are climbing higher on the corporate ladder than non-mothers. Over 70% of the women on Fortune Magazine’s list of “America’s Most Powerful Women in Business” are mothers. A May 2003 joint study by Catalyst, the Families and Work Institute and Boston College, entitled “The Leaders in a Global Economy Report,” determined that women who were at reporting levels closer to the CEO were more likely to have children. This complements research done by Moe Grzelakowski who interviewed 50 executive women who all believe that raising children transformed their leadership style and made them more effective business leaders. With many dads participating fully in their kids’ lives, I believe they’re learning the same leadership lessons a
