In 2019, I launched AdAstra Talent Advisors . A few months later, I was pregnant with my first son.

I always believed success wasn’t about being the smartest person in the room—it was about being the most committed worker. I leaned into that belief. I powered through launching a business, even as pregnancy demanded more from me. But I’ll admit something: I felt embarrassed about my pregnancy and what that meant for my identity as a professional.

I was terrified of how motherhood would change things.

How would I prove myself when I had family responsibilities?  How could I grow a company with a newborn in tow? Could I really do both?

The idea of balancing both felt impossible.

And I wasn’t alone.

A colleague once confided in me, whispering that she was pregnant—as though it were a weakness.

An engineering leader I worked with nervously revealed her pregnancy over a personal phone call.

We felt like we were harboring a secret. A secret that might somehow disqualify us.

But here’s the truth: Motherhood didn’t weaken me—it made me a better leader.

The Unexpected Leadership Lessons of Parenthood

Truthfully, motherhood did knock me off balance at first.

Sleepless nights. A colicky baby. The realization that no amount of planning could force life into a neat schedule. My son didn’t care if I had a meeting or a deadline—his needs were my top priority.

And yet, flash forward to today: I’m a mother of two energetic boys, and I am loud and proud about it. They’ve made me a better version of myself in every way.

✨ Motherhood has sharpened my skills in ways I never expected:

✔ Empathy: Empathy is a superpower when it comes to making authentic connections, especially in the business of talent advising. I understand people more deeply, both as a leader and as a human.

✔ Creative problem-solving: Toddlers demand inventive solutions daily—turns out… so do companies. Problems have transformed from roadblocks into interesting puzzles to solve.

✔ Prioritization:My prioritization skills have skyrocketed. If it’s not essential, it doesn’t get my time.

✔ Joy as a leadership skill: Joy is contagious. Seeing the world through my kids’ eyes has helped me bring that same awe into my work.

I also have a newfound, deep respect for parents—especially mothers. Watching them achieve incredible things while balancing so much behind the scenes leaves me speechless. Striking this balance has demanded serious grit and compassion. It has also been the greatest joy of my life.

So, I’ll leave you with a question

I think we can dismantle any stigmas that remain about working mothers by telling our stories. Not as a LinkedIn-engagement trick, but as someone genuinely curious:

✨How has parenthood improved your career—or how have you seen it transform others?