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Care is often seen as personal, but its impact reaches far beyond the home. This Mother’s Day, hear from leaders across industries and livelihoods on how experiences of care — received, given, and lived — have shaped the way they lead, work, and support others.
- Feature by Sarah Gideon, Tracy Chan, Umairah Nasir, and Priya Sunil.
Motherhood is often associated with one image — but the reality is far richer. Today, motherhood may mean raising children while building a career, stepping into a child’s life as a stepmother, caring for nieces and nephews, becoming a mother through adoption, preparing for parenthood, navigating a fertility journey, caring for ageing parents, or even finding joy and companionship as a pawrent. The meaning has no boundaries.
This Mother’s Day, and beyond, we at Human Resources Online dare to challenge stereotypes to celebrate the many forms of nurturing, care, resilience, and leadership that shape people’s lives.
We asked 16 leaders across industries and livelihoods to reflect on how their experiences of care — whether received from a woman in their life or lived through motherhood, caregiving, mentorship, or a family-building journey — have shaped the way they lead, work, and support others.
Through their stories, we see how care teaches patience, empathy, resilience, responsibility, active listening, and the ability to create space for others to grow. It reminds us that strong leadership is not only about direction and results, but also about understanding people, offering support, and leading with humanity.
Here are their reflections:
Ilham Maulana, Director - Oral Care HR, Asia Middle East Africa (AMA) and Product Supply HR, AMA, Procter & Gamble
Care from my mother shaped how I show up in my work. She cares with attentiveness, making people feel genuinely heard, and consistently plays this role throughout her motherhood. It taught me that leadership isn’t loud, but its present. Its remembering details other forget, creating safety before demanding performance, and treating people struggles with care.
"In my work, I carry that by checking in before checking up, listening before advising, and understanding that people do their best when they feel cared for, not just managed."
Robert Stone, Chief Talent Officer, Omnicom Advertising
My mother, sister, and wife have each been some of the biggest role models and inspirations throughout different stages of my life. Watching the sacrifices they’ve made as women, often putting others before themselves while continuing to show strength, resilience and care, has always inspired me to do better both personally and professionally.
Their influence has shaped the way I lead and support others.
"They’ve taught me that leadership is not just about results, it’s about empathy, consistency, and creating environments where people feel heard, valued, and supported."
It’s a reminder that kindness and strength often go hand in hand.
Reno Rafly, VP People Experience & Organisational Strategy, Paxel Indonesia
As a mom of three, I have been blessed in experiencing motherhood while building my career in unexpected ways. It has been a tumultuous journey, one that helps redefine me as an individual, as a mother, and as a leader.
"Throughout it all, I’ve learned that I will need to keep being true to myself, understand where my strengths are, and where I need to keep developing."
Being a mother has taught me to see my team as distinct individuals, who have hopes and dreams, who have challenges, but also opportunities to grow. When you put that thinking to an organisation, then you will see where you can contribute to ensure it becomes a place where people can thrive and maximise their utmost potential.
Astha Malik, Head of Talent, Singapore, Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow
Care has quietly shaped the way I work and lead.
As a mother, I have that both at home and at the workplace: the values of encouraging to grow within a framework that allows for agile thinking and respect for values, for patience and perspective and allowing for an awareness that everyone is balancing more than we often see, is rewarding in more ways than one.
It has made me more thoughtful in how I listen, more flexible in how I lead, and more intentional about creating an environment where people feel trusted and supported.
"It has allowed me to learn every day, from those across levels, to never cease to be amazed and stay nimble in our approach. I spend my time on helping build resilience and leading with empathy."
Steven Yudhiyanto, SEVP Human Capital, Bank Rakyat Indonesia
My mother raised me with a quiet but unshakeable principle: melayani bukan berarti lemah — to serve is not to be weak. She led our household with warmth and firmness in equal measure, never drawing attention to her sacrifices, yet always ensuring everyone around her felt seen. That lesson followed me into every leadership role I’ve held.
"At BRI, when I think about how we build our people — with empathy, consistency, and genuine care — I’m drawing from something she planted in me long before I understood what leadership even was."
Annie Lim, Head of Human Resources, Lonza
Mother’s Day, to me, extends beyond traditional definitions. It recognises all forms of caregiving that shape who we are. Supporting my ageing parents has been deeply personal and, at times, challenging. It has taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of navigating uncertainty.
"This experience has profoundly influenced how I lead. It reminds me that every employee carries invisible responsibilities, and that empathy is a leadership strength, not a weakness. I am more intentional in creating space for flexibility, understanding, and trust."
Caregiving has reframed my definition of success. Not just professional achievement, but the ability to lead with humanity, purpose, and kindness.
Parvin Raipathi, Deputy HR Director, Rotary Engineering
Care has taught me to lead with both heart and strength. It’s shown me how to truly listen, be patient in moments of strain, and create safety through clear, consistent boundaries. In the unpredictability of caregiving, I’ve learned to adapt quickly, make thoughtful decisions, and stay steady when things feel uncertain. Knowing someone depends on me has deepened my sense of responsibility and commitment.
"It has also pushed me to challenge stereotypes around working mothers — showing that care and ambition can coexist, that strength includes vulnerability, and that leadership is not limited by traditional expectations, but strengthened by lived experience, empathy, and resilience."
Janelle Gavin, Regional People Leader Asia Pacific New Zealand Australia (APNA), Mott MacDonald
As a mum of now teenagers and having supported them through their formative years living abroad in Singapore, it has grounded my leadership in empathy, resilience, and perspective. I’ve seen firsthand how change impacts identity, confidence, and belonging, and this has shaped how I support others through transition and uncertainty in the workplace.
"I’m more intentional about creating space for flexibility, trust, and understanding, recognising everyone is navigating their own journey. These experiences have reinforced that leadership is not just about direction, but about care, connection, and helping others feel secure enough to grow."
Ian Choo, an experienced regional HR leader
"I remember distilling amazing lessons from my mother growing up, she’s shaped the way I lead and what I value in life: integrity, service to others, compassion and grit."
I remember a shirt she used to have “Love All, Serve All”. Simple words, with great impact.
Growing up, watching her run a rustic Italian Restaurant in Clarke Quay (even before there was an MRT station!) showed grit, servitude, and a never-say-die attitude. She would leave home at 11am and come back at 2am most days; repeated for the next 10 years. Her tenacity to get through these tough times while we were growing up, shaped the way I navigate the world. Always grateful for a strong woman in my life.
Alan Tan, APAC HR Director, IHI Asia Pacific
The care that has shaped me most comes from my wife. Alongside her full-time senior management role, she is the quiet anchor of our family. She makes sure meals happen, children’s appointments are never missed, and our fur kid is well cared for. Despite everything, she still protects our couple time, especially our Friday evenings to reconnect and unwind.
She looks after her parents, mine, and our wider family with the same thoughtfulness.
"Watching her balance so much with warmth and intention reminds me that real leadership begins with care, presence, and consistency."
Audra Balasingam, General Counsel, Corporate Services at StarHub
Care has been one of my greatest teachers in leadership.
"As a mother of two, I have learned that leadership, like parenting, is less about control and more about guidance, trust and perspective. It has shown me that people carry unseen responsibilities, and that empathy and flexibility are real strengths."
This mirrors how we think about care at StarHub, showing up for one another so we can show up better for our customers. That belief shapes how I support my teams and build trust every day.
Herman Cahyadi, Head of People Gojek, GoTo Group
Some of the most important leadership lessons I learned came from the women leaders who shaped my life. They carried remarkable strength, resilience, and courage while navigating expectations and challenges that often come with being women in leadership. Yet beyond their firmness and decisiveness, they also led with warmth, empathy, and genuine care for the people around them.
Over time, I realised that leadership is not only about driving results, but also about listening, creating space for others to grow, and treating people with dignity — especially during difficult moments.
"The women in my life taught me that compassion is not a weakness. In many ways, it is one of the strongest forms of leadership balance."
Moonlake Lee, Founder, Unlocking ADHD
My experience as a mother of neurodivergent children has transformed my life…and the lives of others.
When my daughter was diagnosed with ADHD, I pulled out all the stops to learn more about the condition. I realised there was a strong genetic link.
"After my formal diagnosis at age 50, I used the learnings along this journey to offer support and resources to other ADHD impacted families."
I founded Unlocking ADHD to empower ADHDers and their families to live life to the fullest. It is now an IPC charity which offers accessible ADHD-informed counselling and other support to the community.
Sky Siu, CEO, Mother's Choice
Like any mother, the simplest moments with my children give me extraordinary strength. Recently, my son pulled me close and whispered, “you are the best mummy in the whole wide world, I love you!”
"In that moment, I was reminded that caring for others is not about what you get back, but about being present, listening, and walking alongside those who need us."
That same spirit guides my work at Mother’s Choice, where every day we support children and families in crisis. Together with our staff, volunteers, and partners, we truly feel like one big extended family.
Yei-Mun Ho, Global Talent Attraction Business Partner Leader, Organon
Growing up from humble beginnings where eating at McDonald’s was a luxury, my mum has always said that working hard from young would lead me to have a better life in future. This is not just studying hard, but also doing well in athletes, music, art, etc., consistently challenging me to my limits, pushing the boundaries on what I think I have done my best.
Today, these are competencies we call ‘Drive’, ‘Thinking out of the box’, ‘Learning Agility’… and the list goes on.
"Mum, thank you for being my ‘Tiger Mum’, instilling all these competencies into me from young such that now, this has become second nature in my daily life, shaping me into the way I work and the leader I am today."
Reflections of a mother-leader: "I don’t leave motherhood at home — I lead with it"
Hazlina Hazani, Group Chief People Officer, MNRB Group tells us how raising three children and caring for 40 fur kids shaped her leadership style, grounded in empathy, patience, and purpose.
Motherhood is the greatest blessing in my life. I’m a proud mum to three wonderful children and a lucky paw-parent to 40 fur kids who bring so much love, laughter, and grounding into my everyday life.
For me, motherhood is not something I step in and out of depending on where I am. It is who I am at home, at work, and in every space I show up in. Over the years, I’ve come to realise that I don’t leave motherhood at home — I lead with it.
"My children have been my greatest teachers. They’ve taught me patience on difficult days, empathy in moments that require understanding, and the importance of truly seeing people beyond their titles or roles."
They’ve also taught me something very important — that everyone is different. Each child has their own strengths, pace, and challenges, and learning to honour that has shaped how I approach people in leadership.
At work, I carry this same perspective with me. I’m mindful that everyone I work with is navigating their own journey often with responsibilities and struggles that are not immediately visible. That awareness has made me more intentional in how I lead: with understanding, flexibility, and care.
I don’t see leadership as simply driving performance or delivering outcomes. I see it as creating an environment where people feel safe to grow, confident to contribute, and valued for who they are. In many ways, it feels very much like parenting — guiding, supporting, sometimes challenging, but always with the intention of helping someone become the best version of themselves.
What surprises me most is how natural this connection feels. The more I embrace motherhood in all its forms, the more fulfilled I feel in leadership. Because ultimately, both are about people. Both are about trust. And both are about showing up with heart.
I truly don’t separate the two anymore. I don’t leave motherhood at home — I lead with it.
Photos: Provided
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