Whether your mom was Betty Crocker or Betty Boop, you probably learned a lot from her. There’s something to be said for those lessons we learn early in life. While therapists are quick to point out that much of our difficulties lie in our childhoods, it’s also where we learned about being a leader and a friend.

As chamber professionals, we spend much of our time focused on developing leadership skills—strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, team management, and community vision. We read books by top business minds, attend leadership trainings, and model ourselves after high-profile executives.

But some of our most powerful leadership lessons may have come long before we entered a boardroom—sitting at the kitchen table, riding in the back seat, or standing at her side as she juggled responsibilities without ever dropping the ball.

Whether your mom led a household, ran a business, volunteered in the community, or simply showed up every day with love and consistency, chances are, she taught you something profound about leadership (or even what not to do).

In honor of upcoming Mother's Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on the quiet strength, everyday courage, and lasting influence of the first leader many of us ever knew—Mom.

And if your mom wasn’t perfect, that’s okay too. (No mom is) But you probably learned a fair share of lessons from that too.

Lead with Heart, Not Just Strategy

In the chamber world, we spend a lot of time creating plans—strategic plans, event plans, marketing calendars. But Mom’s leadership reminds us that it’s not just what you do, but how you make people feel while doing it.

Good mothers lead with empathy. They listen not just to words but to silences. They notice when someone’s had a bad day and offer comfort before it’s asked for. Members, staff, and board aren’t just stakeholders—they’re people. Leading with emotional intelligence, checking in with our teams, and creating a culture of care is every bit as important as meeting KPIs.

When was the last time you led with heart? A phone call instead of an email. A handwritten note instead of a form letter. A moment of compassion instead of rushing to the next thing. These human touches are where leadership becomes legacy.


Do More With Less

Growing up, many of us watched our moms make miracles out of limitations. Whether it was stretching a budget, organizing family schedules, or creating magic from mundane moments, they were resourceful—especially those making ends meet on one income.

That skill translates directly to chamber life. We often operate with tight budgets, small teams, and a long list of community needs. Yet, like Mom, we find a way. We pull off community events, advocate for policy change, and support hundreds of businesses with creativity and grit.

Leadership isn’t always about having more resources—it’s about maximizing the ones you do have. It’s likely you’re had to learn how to innovate, repurpose, prioritize, and hustle. As chamber leaders, that scrappy determination becomes one of our greatest assets.


Model Integrity in Every Interaction

One of the most enduring lessons Mom may have taught is the value of integrity—not through lectures, but through consistent action. Model moms keep their promises, own up to mistakes. They show up, even when it’s hard.

Leadership at the chamber demands that same consistency. Your community looks to you not just for programming, but for values. Do we do what we say we will? Do we admit when we’re wrong? Do we lead with transparency even when it’s uncomfortable?

Mom taught us that true leadership is being someone others can count on. In a world of shifting priorities and fractured trust, that kind of steadiness is both rare and powerful.


Patience Is a Leadership Superpower

Patience isn’t flashy, but it’s transformational. It takes a lot of patience to teach a child how to do everything. That same patience—grace under pressure—builds real leadership capital.

Advocacy takes time. Culture change takes time. Trust takes time. But Mom taught us that long-term investments pay off.

Mrs. Cleaver didn’t quit when things were hard (and she did all her housework in a skirt). She stayed in the game, not for quick wins but for lasting outcomes. Just like a chamber pro—steadfast, forward-looking, and grounded in purpose.


Celebrate Others Without Needing Credit

Many mothers do extraordinary things with little recognition. They cheer others on, create opportunities, and take pride in watching others shine—even if they’re never in the spotlight themselves.

As chamber leaders, it’s easy to get caught up in seeking visibility—metrics, awards, attention. But real leadership often looks like quietly lifting others. Giving credit. Promoting someone else’s idea. Celebrating your team’s work without needing your name attached.

When you’re telling your chamber’s story, you might be tempted to cast yourself as the hero—after all, you’re doing everything. But a much more effective tactic is painting your member as the hero and the chamber as the sage who helps the hero find their way for the best possible outcome.

This kind of selflessness reminds us that the most effective leaders aren’t always the loudest. Sometimes they’re the ones backstage, making sure everything runs smoothly, so others can succeed. That humility creates a culture where everyone is empowered to lead.


Know When to Be Tough—and When to Be Tender

The best leaders, like the best moms, understand nuance. They know when to push and when to pause. When to hold the line and when to offer grace. That duality—strength and softness—is something we rarely talk about in professional settings, but it’s essential.

Chamber work is full of tough calls—budget cuts, policy stances, personnel issues. But even in those moments, we can bring humanity to the table. Good moms don’t avoid hard conversations—they approach them with love and clarity. That kind of leadership builds accountability and loyalty.


Show Up. Every Day. Especially When It’s Hard

If there’s one thing good moms model without fail, it’s consistency. They show up—at the breakfast table, the school play, the double header (even when they hate sports). Tired or not. Even when no one said thank you.

For chamber leaders, showing up matters. When the community faces a crisis, when members are discouraged, when the path forward is uncertain—chamber pros show up. And over time, that presence becomes power.

You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to keep showing up, committed to the people you serve.