From M.O.M. to C.E.O.

In the American household, a mom is a woman that leads her team without hesitation or apology. She’ll immediately stop a fight between siblings and uphold vital standards for behavior to keep the home front sane.

So, why sit at home after the kids have gone to bed and stare bleary eyed at your laptop while wondering if you have what it takes to succeed in your career? Why not put the essence of your mommy skills to work with only a few simple tweaks? If you are trying to move up the ladder, but keep stumbling on some of the bottom rungs, use three key skills you already have outside the home.

Be descriptive yet succinct.

Women are great communicators. You enjoy telling a bedtime story and offering the sounds, descriptions, and voiceovers to enhance its detail. While this is a nice mommy attribute at home, this elaborate communication style can result in eye rolling from colleagues. Use your great ability to communicate, but think of yourself as a reporter in the workplace; just give the headlines and if the full story is needed, offer it in bullet form.

Use the word “no” in your work conversations.

You don’t hesitate to say, “No!” when your little darling tries to put a slice of pizza into the brand-new Blu-ray player. So why do you hesitate to say, “No,” to those coworkers that may interfere with progress in your career? Say, “No,” to doing the work that belongs to others, say, “No,” to people who don’t respect your boundaries, and say, “Yes,” to being in charge of your time and your career.

Don’t hesitate to have your voice be heard.

When you are taking a 26-hour road trip to Disneyland, and the twins have threatened to annihilate each other before you even reach the Sunshine State, do you hesitate or wait for a polite pause in the conversation to voice your concern? You know if you do, someone’s going to be crying in the backseat before you even reach the next toll booth. In the business world, you’re protecting your career. If you wait for someone else to make a point before you do, they will. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told the Washington Post, “Learn to interrupt.” Use your power voice and be heard. Express your ideas. Ask for and plan for your own career advancement. Brag, keep inventory of your successes, and don’t be afraid to share them.

You already have what it takes to be a C.E.O. inside and outside the home: leading others, achieving goals, building guidelines for behavior, and creating shared values. Use your mommy skills and advance your career.