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Maternal strengths: What data shows about the leadership skills of moms at work

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom

Published June 8, 2026 at 11:04 AM CDT

Increased empathy and resilience are traits often associated with new mothers. But a survey finds that after returning to work, moms feel the biggest jump in critical leadership skills: conflict management, scheduling and communication.

Host Indira Lakshmanan explores the data with Alexa Starks, CEO of Mothered Media.

Parents Alexa and Wayne Starks with their children, ids are 3-year-old Evander and 2-year-old Evelyn. (Courtesy of Alexa Starks)

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Here & Now Newsroom