3 LEADERSHIP LESSONS I LEARNT FROM MY MOM

By Daniel Jeyasundrakumar

I am forever grateful to almighty God for giving me amazing parents. I believe that this is the greatest gift any child could have. 

 My Dad and Mom have played the most significant role in shaping my personality and the values I uphold. The lessons they taught me, which was tough to comprehend back then, seem to make sense as I grow older each year. My Dad, my hero, a God-fearing, humble man who gave me a great deal of confidence, discipline and risk-taking attributes.

Introducing my Mom Malini Jeyasundrakumar (Malini), a very humble, highly disciplined, God-fearing, daring, caring and hospitable lady. However, a day wouldn’t pass by Daniel not being scolded, advised or smacked as I was “very disciplined” in doing things I shouldn’t.

Lesson 01: Smile and make sure to greet people “Danny”

My Mom always asks me the question, “why can’t you smile or talk? Do you have eggs inside your mouth?” And the follow-up question is, “are you scared the egg will drop out of your mouth if you smile?”

 I used to think, why does she want me to smile and greet people even if I don’t know them. Thinking of it, I feel this should be the first lesson of networking. I hope you agree with me that an energetic smile transfers positive energy, which is contagious. Today I am proud to say I never hold back to smile and greet people even if they do not respond.

We conduct training programs on greeting customers in sales and customer service, but my Mom was never familiar with customer service and networking. It was a value she seeded in us without knowing much about these subjects. 

Lesson 2: Giving others will always make you happier than keeping it to yourself, “Son”

“Danny, you have to share, don’t be selfish” these were her exact words. If you don’t share, I will never buy you anything again. There were some days I would look for my favourite shirt, and she would be smiling at me after I had pulled over all my clothes; she would say, “Sana, I gave it to your playmate because he needed it more than you”.

 When I was young, I had to share my toys with my friends to make sure I receive new replacements, and she always kept to her word.

 My Mom used to be advised by some of her friends in the exact words. 

Mom’s Friends: “Malini, why do you always give them? They never give you back anything; they are so selfish.“

Mom: “That is their way of life; this is mine, and I want my children to be like me”

Our house was always full of people, and she would hardly say no to anyone. Christmas time she will start buying presents for everyone, and we will be the last on the list if we were lucky. She is still the same today as she was back in the day. 

 The lesson I learnt was that happiness was deeply connected to serving and giving. 

 My all-time favourite leadership author John C. Maxwell says that a leader should have the heart to serve. I am convinced sharing is the first step of serving your people.

Lesson 3: Be Grateful; you are blessed than many of your age, “Sana” (Son)

A nonstop record she plays back then to date is see how blessed you are. You have food on the table, you go to an outstanding school, a roof over your head, you have many things that other dream of having from my perfect memory.

She always said that being negative was a disease and it could spread to others, and being ungrateful is a punishable offence by God almighty. She also uses this old proverb, “birds of a feather flock together.”

She says if you have positive, encouraging friends, you will grow, and the opposite would ruin you.

And this is what we preach in some of the leadership and personal development material. 

 This is my very first article. I hope you enjoyed reading it. 

 My next article would be the top 3 Leadership Lessons I Learnt from my Dad. 

 Hope to hear your thoughts too.