Why working moms are the secret weapon of the modern workforce

“BEING A mom has made me a better businesswoman, and let's face it, when you have little kids you stop stressing the little things, because you simply don't have time to.

- ANJA VAN BEEK

“I have always felt being a woman in business was an advantage, not a disadvantage, and being a mom even more so:

I read this in Harvard Business Review, and I couldn't agree more, especially when it comes to leadership.

Working mothers represent a new breed of leaders. Yes, you read it correctly. The women juggling diapers, deadlines, schoolwork and dinner duties have a secret weapon: a unique mix of talents that make them untapped powerhouses in the boardroom.

Today's rapidly evolving work requires a new era of thinking. We often underestimate how real-life experience can be applied in the working world. Transferable skills can be carried over from one role or experience to many other work-related scenarios.

As a working mom myself and having led many successful and multinational teams, I have witnessed the direct impact a working mom has on a business.

The productivity she drives and the different perspectives she brings to the boardroom table. Having had a look at the statistics, I am a bit worried.

According to the 2025 State of Motherhood survey by Motherly, a staggering 66% of mothers said that the cost and stress of childcare led them to consider leaving the workforce or reducing their hours. Younger moms, especially Gen Z, report even deeper challenges, including limited access to flexible schedules and paid leave, with Gen Z mothers 2.5x less likely to have position flexibility than Millennials and half as likely to receive paid maternity leave.

Meanwhile, a 2024 Bank-rate study shows the motherhood wage penalty is still widening. In 2024, full-time working mothers earned 35% less than fathers, which could translate into a lifetime loss of up to $600 000 over 30 years. I am sure the South African statistics would be a similar picture.