The Balancing Act: Leadership, Motherhood, and Setting Clear Expectations
The Challenge of Being a Working Woman
One of the hardest things about being a working woman is staying above it all. We have careers where we strive for success, impact, and momentum, yet we also carry significant responsibilities at home.
As a mother of three, I remember countless times when my career had to pause for a school call—whether my child was sick, forgot their lunch, or missed the bus. And while I’m not a single parent and my husband is an incredible partner, the reality is that the bulk of parenting and household management often falls on women.
Thriving as a Leader While Maintaining Empathy
Looking back, I can see how I began to thrive in my career as my children became more self-sufficient. The energy I once poured into my kids’ well-being naturally shifted to my team. I found myself offering them support—checking in on their stress levels, making sure they were well, even handing out Emergen-C during flu season.
Some might call this "mommy-ing" my team, but my employees see it differently. They recognize that they have a leader who genuinely cares about them as people, not just as workers.
The Strength of Nurturing Leadership
Women often bring a level of empathy and emotional intelligence to leadership that their male counterparts may not always prioritize. (Of course, this isn’t a universal truth, but generally speaking, women lean into nurturing leadership styles more often.)
While some might perceive compassion and concern as weaknesses, my experience has shown otherwise. When employees feel valued and supported, they show up better, work harder, and trust that they are not being taken advantage of.
The Pitfall of Being Too Nice
But what happens when grace and empathy are mistaken for weakness?
What if your team takes advantage of your kindness?
What if you give second chances, but they don’t step up?
What if your leadership is seen as being too soft?
The Key: Expectation and Communication
The difference between being a respected, empathetic leader and being a pushover often comes down to clear expectations and communication.
If you find yourself frustrated that your team isn’t performing, consider this:
Are you being direct about what you expect?
Are you setting clear consequences for missed expectations?
Are you saying yes when you really mean no?
Are you waiting too long to address issues, letting resentment build?
Owning Your Role as a Leader
Jamie Brownlee, Ph.D., from PLNU, once spoke about situational leadership and how leaders must take responsibility for their teams' performance. If someone on your team isn’t meeting expectations, it’s not just their problem—it’s yours.
Instead of saying, “They just aren’t good at their job,” ask yourself:
Have I given them the right tools?
Have I provided enough guidance?
Have I clearly communicated what success looks like?
If the answer is no, then the opportunity for improvement starts with you.
The Transformation: From Overwhelmed to Unstoppable
I see you.
You are tired.
Tired of holding it all together. Tired of carrying the weight of a career, a home, a family, and a team. Tired of giving and giving and wondering if anyone sees just how much you pour out.
You are frustrated.
Frustrated that when you try to lead with kindness, people take advantage. Frustrated that when you set a boundary, you second-guess yourself. Frustrated that you wonder if you’re too much or not enough, all at the same time.
But most of all?
You are ready.
Ready to stop apologizing for the way you lead.
Ready to stop shrinking yourself to make others comfortable.
Ready to own your role—not just as a boss, but as a leader.
Because here’s the truth: You can be compassionate and commanding.
You can be nurturing and strong.
You can lead with both grace and authority.
When you:
🔥 Set clear expectations, not just hopes
🔥 Communicate with confidence, not hesitation
🔥 Follow through on accountability, not empty warnings
🔥 Lead with both empathy and strength
You don’t just create a high-performing team—you create a culture of trust, respect, and excellence.
If you’ve ever felt like you were drowning in responsibilities, like no matter how much you give, it’s never enough, let me tell you something:
You are enough.
Not because you do everything for everyone.
Not because you never drop the ball.
Not because you say yes when you really mean no.
You are enough because you are a leader who cares.
Now it’s time to lead with clarity, with confidence, and without apology.
Take a deep breath.
Straighten your shoulders.
And step into the leader you were always meant to be. Book a call with me to discover career success by understanding and embracing your Primal Question.
