Why Authenticity at Work Matters More Than Ever
Being a working mom isn’t for the faint-hearted. You’re juggling school runs, deadlines, client calls and trying not to forget show-and-tell day again. Now add navigating workplace politics and professional relationships to that mix, it’s no wonder so many of us are exhausted.
In an episode of the MOMents, I sat down with Lee-Anne Singer, businesswoman, board member and mom of three, to talk about something every working woman needs to hear: how we can make our workplaces more supportive, more honest and a whole lot more human.
And it all starts with one thing — authenticity.
Honesty Changes Everything
I shared a story in this episode about walking into a job interview while pregnant and trying to hide it like TV shows do, with oversized handbags and strategic chairs. But instead of hiding, I chose honesty. And you know what? That honesty turned into a job offer… and a trusted relationship with Lee-Anne.
Here’s the thing, when you show up as yourself, you create space for others to do the same. Authenticity builds trust. It opens doors. It invites connection. It’s not weakness, it’s your superpower.
Working Moms Are a Business Advantage
Lee-Anne admitted something many of us can relate to, before she became a mom, she didn’t fully get the challenges working mothers face. But motherhood changed that.
She now sees that hiring working moms isn’t a risk, it’s smart business. We’re masters of time management. Crisis-handlers by nature. Professional multitaskers. When life keeps throwing curveballs, moms just keep showing up – with a to-do list, a sense of humor and an extra snack in their bag.
Shift from Competition to Collaboration
Lee-Anne and I talked about something that hits deep: how women in the workplace sometimes end up competing with each other when we should be linking arms.
It’s not because we want to, it’s because the system was built that way. But here’s the truth: we rise faster when we rise together.
Let’s stop pretending we’ve got it all under control and start having real conversations. About the guilt, the overwhelm, the compromises. That’s where solidarity begins. That’s where the change happens.
Creating Mom-Friendly Workspaces
A truly modern workplace doesn’t measure you by the hours you’re sitting in a chair, it measures your impact.
Flexibility. Understanding. Space to breathe. That’s how we keep great women in great jobs.
And if you’re a leader reading this, here’s your challenge: Don’t just talk about “supporting moms.” Build systems that actually do it.
The Bottom Line
Motherhood changes you. It shifts your priorities, your patience and your power. But it also gives you something priceless – perspective.
When women like Lee-Anne lead with empathy, and when workplaces make space for authenticity and collaboration, everyone wins.
Stop waiting for your workplace to change. Start being the change, one honest conversation, one act of support, one boundary at a time.
Because when women back each other, workplaces don’t just function better, they transform.