10/05/2026
This Mother's Day: I found myself reflecting in an unexpected truth. Some of the most profound Leadership lessons I've learnt did not come from my Corporate Leadership Workshop and Management books, they came from my children.
As a single mother, our home often operates like a live case study in collaboration under pressure especially during their kids to teens era like school projects, dues deadlines, forgotten assignments, late-night presentations, house-hold chores and somehow everyone still needing great meals.
And somewhere within that, my children taught me leadership concepts that even Ateneo Grad School would probably design a framework for Executive Program.
1. THE SHARED FINISH LINE PRINCIPLE
Children instinctively understand something many organization struggle with: A team works faster when success feels shared, not because my two sons were "delegated" but because I did not create them as individual performers but rather collective owners.
2. MICRO COLLABORATION IS THE REAL PRODUCTIVITY MULTIPLIER
Tiny adjustment brings massive operational impact! Corporate culture often glorifies grand strategy, but high performing systems are usually built in small, repeated acts and mutual support.
3. TIME MAGEMENT IS ACTUALLY TRUST MANAGEMENT
It's actually my children who handles well my busy schedule. My second child though struggled with emotional unpredictability when I chose my work over his school award ceremonies.
The same applies to leadership..... people can absorb pressure, what exhaust them is feeling unseen.
So this Mother's Day, I may say that Motherhood is the most invisible leadership program of all.
-Marianne Rodrigo-
Certified Stuart Atkins LIFO COACH
Corporate Leadership Guru
AGSB-REGIS, MBA
