After all the buzz about Yahoo’s new CEO Marissa Mayer not only being a WOMAN but also getting the gig when she is expecting, I thought I’d pile on with additional insight from ForbesWoman. Forbes has “analyzed” the world’s 100 most powerful women based on a number of categories including that of being a mom. I’m sure Marissa will be on the top of the list next year…..after all, Hilary Clinton is only the U.S. Secretary of State and Marissa is going to out earn her by oh, probably…$59,800,000, plus have a newborn. Sorry Hilary.
The Forbes article quoted powerful women who talked about the difficulty of being a mom with a high-octane career. Hmmm. I’d argue that being a mom (period) is difficult – not to mention those of us who have low-octane careers and juggle it all with motherhood.
But this isn’t really the issue, is it? All of this hype is more about those who believe being a mom should take priority over everything – including working, being a wife/partner, having a life outside of children VS. those who believe they can be great at it all – motherhood, career, loving wife/partner and all powerful woman.
Up until 20 months ago, I had a different perspective of powerful women. I worked hard through my twenties and thirties because I loved my job as a HR pro, not because I had aspirations to be the EVP-HR at a Fortune 50 organization or because I didn’t want a family. I actually really did want a child, but as time does it flies, and I was in my late thirties without the title of “mom”. Thankfully, it wasn’t too late for me and as a new, working mom – I now get what “powerful” means. As with my HR career the skills of prioritization, multi-tasking, doing more with less, relying on your team (co-workers, family, friends, those who want to see you succeed), and knowing when to say “no” are even more critical. If you can do all of those things, you are powerful.
I will also say during my days spent at home with my daughter…I believe the “non-working” mom role is 10 times tougher and more strenuous for ME. I’ve got the career thing down to a manageable mess, but 24/7 with a child(ren) is the stretch assignment I never had!
I do believe some women are cut out to be 100% mothers, some are more suited to 100% careers, and then there are those like me who are just trying to prioritize one day at a time depending on which hat is most important that day. No one path is more important and no one choice is less daunting – - – and in the end YOU have to be in love with the choices you make or else YOU won’t do anything well.
So to those who want to argue who is more powerful or who should be held in higher regard – - just stop. For those in HR, this is an issue we will likely never solve until perceptions of success in the workplace shift, but don’t give up. There are organizations who, like Yahoo, can embrace a soon-to-be-mom CEO; and women like Marissa who get paid $60M to do it all and hopefully do it well.
As a man it is sometimes suggested that I don’t even get an opinion on matters like this. But, suggestions won’t keep me from sounding off on what I think. You hit the nail on the head Kathy, be happy with your choices and don’t pass judgment on those who elect a choice different than yours. Woman or man, some want to dedicate themselves to a career, to others its family, and to a majority it’s some mix of both. And it takes a tremendous amount of skill and effort to be among the very best at what you do, regardless of which of those choices you elect.
Yahoo is making a big bet that Marissa can and will excel in her career as a CEO, but I can’t help but wonder whether they would really care if she succeeds or fails at being a good mom and spouse. If they do then that would create an even more compelling case for being an organization progressively pushing HR boundaries as hiring her as CEO while she is pregnant.
Thanks, Ed…..can always count on you to have my back! It will be very interesting to watch it all unfold at Yahoo and I hope she has success on all accounts (bank account – already a CHECK).
Amen, Kathy! I have two boys that I had in my late 30s. They are my absolute joy and my absolute challenge. I love every minute of it, even as I struggle to be on conference calls with time zones around the world. It’s just part of the deal these days with a career in HR.
Thank you for your contributions to FOT. I really enjoy reading your work.
Thanks Janet…..appreciate you taking the time to give me comments given all on your plate!
Kathie, thank you for this great article. I feel particularly concerned by this topic although I’m not a CEO. Only an HR professional who didn’t chose but nevertheless had to stop her professional activity to assume her role of a mum of two lovely daughters. I have been living in Switzerland for the last 12 years, and find it close to impossible for a lady here to have a 50:50 life-balance and success ratio between career and family. To my regret ! But I have not entirely given up yet. It is just a question of a long overdue shift of values and priorities in our society, isn’t it?
Hi Lucy – You’re right, it’s not just a U.S. issue but a global issue in terms of how employers can make the most of the talent who may want “non-traditional” roles or have other demands (like being a mum!). Sounds like you’ve made the right choice for you, right now. Cheers!