*(Chief Exec, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Finance Officer etc..)
The mysterious C-Suite. Most of the time I get why they are in this position – but there are moments when I think ….seriously ?!
I have been asked this question multiple times by women in our AristoChic network: what’s the best way to manage my directors and be visible in front of them ?
Too often I hear working mothers afraid to set boundaries. This does not need to be the case. Easy for you to say, I can hear you saying. And you’d be right. Except I have to deal with this on every consultancy assignment and here’s how I have navigated the situation as a working mother:
TOP TIPS FOR NAVIGATING THE C-SUITE
- Impeccable Presentation: Your Calling Card
Cultivate a wardrobe of understated elegance—well-tailored pieces in refined neutrals serve as your armour. The C-Suite responds instinctively to visual authority; your appearance should whisper success rather than shout ambition. A capsule collection of exceptional pieces will serve you far better than an abundance of mediocrity.
- Command the Room with Grace
Enter each meeting with deliberate composure. The harried mother rushing from school drop-off has no place here. Take a moment in the corridor to centre yourself, straighten your shoulders, and adopt the presence of someone who belongs at the table. Remember: they may have the title, but you have earned your seat.
- Strategic Scheduling: The Art of the Unseen Juggle
Never apologise for family commitments, simply manage them with discreet efficiency. Schedule critical meetings during your peak performance hours. Reserve early mornings or evenings for preparation rather than execution. The C-Suite needn’t witness your balancing act—only the polished result.
- The Power of Precise Communication
In the realm of executives, your currency is clarity. Eschew the verbose; deliver insights with eloquent economy. Preparation is paramount—distill complex concepts into accessible brilliance. When you speak less but with greater substance, you command genuine attention.
- Cultivate Selective Visibility
Choose your moments of visibility with strategic precision. Better to shine brilliantly at quarterly presentations than to be ubiquitously unremarkable. Quality of contribution invariably trumps quantity of presence.
- The Elegant Boundary
Establish parameters with unwavering consistency. Decline with grace rather than accept with resentment. A simple “I have a prior commitment” suffices without elaboration. Remember that boundaries aren’t barriers—they’re the framework that enables your dual excellence.
- Assemble Your Discreet Support Network
Behind every accomplished woman lies an invisible infrastructure. Cultivate relationships with select colleagues who understand your circumstance without requiring explanation. A trusted ally who can seamlessly cover an unexpected absence is invaluable beyond measure.
- Master the Art of the Pivot
When domestic emergencies inevitably arise, execute the seamless transition. Develop concise contingency protocols for your team. The C-Suite respects capability under pressure—demonstrate it by managing interruptions with unflappable composure.
- Selective Transparency: A Strategic Tool
Occasional, carefully chosen glimpses into your maternal role can humanise you in the executive sphere. A brief, elegant acknowledgment of your child’s achievement might resonate with fellow parents. The operative word is restrained—your family narrative should be a garnish, never the main course.
- Unwavering Self-Regard
Remember that you bring unique perspective to the table. The multidimensional thinking required of a working mother translates to exceptional problem-solving capacity. Never diminish your contribution; executive leadership requires precisely the orchestration skills you exercise daily.
FINAL THOUGHT:
In essence, your dual role as awesome working mother and fierce working woman isn’t a liability but your most distinguished asset. Navigate it not with apology but with the quiet confidence of someone who excels in life’s most challenging domains.
Go for it. You’ve got this ! Xx
Aristo-Chic Working SuperMum Café 