Since January 20th, President Barack Obama has been hard at work doing his part to help the nation get back on its feet. And while the Presidency likely means a dream come true and a lot of hard work for him, for his family it means he's off the campaign trail (at least for a while!) and back at the dinner table. That's right. The Obamas have a family life, too! And while you may not be discussing national security and the Secret Service as you pass the mashed potatoes each night, you are still facing many of the same challenges as the other head of the first family, our nation's new first lady and mom-in-chief, Michelle Obama.
Now Obama is stepping into her self-proclaimed role as "mom-in-chief"-a phrase that, understandably, delights Woolf-having publicly stated that parenting Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, will be her top priority in this first year of transition. Still, she intends to use her new platform as first lady to be an advocate for issues that help us all to put our children first-which will definitely make her a working mother. (Her work/family juggling act continues!)
Being good at your job can make you a better parent. At the end of a long workday, most of us are eager to leave our professional lives at the office. However, says Woolf, the most effective parents are the ones who don't. In her career in law and public service, Obama has no doubt perfected many of the same skills she'll use in her role as mom-in-chief, including conflict resolution, communication, multi-tasking, time management, crisis management, and team building.
"Like the best business leaders, the most effective parents inspire without pushing their own agenda, nurture without micromanaging, encourage without creating over-the-top pressure, and expect the best without ignoring the inevitability of failure and the joy of learning from mistakes," says Woolf. "Learning to tap into your professional skill set at home will allow you to be a well-rounded mother."
Motherhood IS a leadership job. By calling herself "mom-in-chief," Obama sends a strong message that being a mom means being a leader, an attribute that mothers often overlook in their parenting roles. By celebrating her position rather than apologizing for it, she connects the notion of leadership beyond the walls of corporate suites and presidential mansions to the homes of average parents.
"The best leaders, like the best parents, strive to provide the proper conditions in which others can grow and reach their highest aspirations," explains Woolf. "Once you can begin to think of motherhood as not only a job, but a leadership job, you will be more apt to apply the skills and techniques you use in the workplace more effectively at home."
Focus on the big picture. Admittedly, this advice can seem vague and perhaps a little overwhelming. We all know how easy it can be to get caught up in the relentless day-to-day scurry of soccer practice, doctor appointments, and packing lunches and forget about the more meaningful goals that we have set for ourselves as parents. Obama is surely no exception to the motherhood mayhem. With two young children and a puppy to corral, and state dinners and sleepovers to host, the first lady will face relentless demands on her time and patience. The trick for her, and for all of us, says Woolf, is making a point to stop and refocus throughout the day so we don't lose sight of what's important.
"Effective leaders keep their eye on the long view, looking beyond the task at hand to the greater purpose," she asserts. "By articulating her big picture goal-to put her kids' needs above other obligations-Obama is more likely to avoid getting bogged down in endless niggling details. She understands what all great leaders understand: that her actions and choices today have long-term effects."
It's okay to delegate. Obama has at times been the major breadwinner in her family-she was vice-president of community affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center before she took a leave to join her husband on the campaign trail-and she knows intimately the juggling act working mothers perform every day. No wonder she plans to use her platform as first lady to advocate for policies such as family leave, childcare access, and better healthcare-the issues that allow women to better balance work and family life. In the meantime, however, we need to call on our own support systems…the other people who live under our roof.
