Two major research reports released in 2026 have arrived at the same striking conclusion: working mothers are developing some of the most sought-after leadership skills in business, yet many remain overlooked, overburdened, and under-recognised in the workplace.
According to the 2026 Maternal Strengths Report by Mothered Media and the 2026 Working Women in South Africa Report by RecruitMyMom, motherhood is driving significant growth in critical leadership and operational capabilities, while organisations continue to assess women through outdated measures of visibility and availability rather than performance and potential.
For Marilize Jacobs, founder of VocalCord PR & Reputation Management and Pigs Can Fly Interiors, the findings confirm what she has witnessed throughout her career as an entrepreneur and business leader.
“These reports expose a disconnect that organisations can no longer afford to ignore,” says Jacobs. “Motherhood is developing highly valuable leadership capabilities, yet many of these women continue to face burnout, limited career progression, and workplace structures that fail to recognise the skills they bring.”
The Maternal Strengths Report, which surveyed 354 working mothers across industries and countries, found measurable growth across every leadership-related capability assessed after participants became mothers.
Among the most significant increases were:
- Time management (+123%)
- Strategic energy allocation (+100%)
- Negotiation (+83%)
- Communication under pressure (+60%)
- Prioritisation (+56%)
- Conflict management (+41%)
The report notes that the strongest gains were not confined to traditionally perceived “soft skills” such as empathy, but rather to operational and leadership competencies associated with managing complexity, making decisions under pressure, and navigating competing priorities.
At the same time, the RecruitMyMom report, based on responses from 3,509 skilled South African women, paints a concerning picture of the challenges facing working women.
Key findings include:
- 86% of skilled women experience some degree of burnout
- 55.5% have struggled with their mental well-being in the past year
- 60.7% cite a lack of visible career opportunities as their primary barrier to advancement
- 45% are sole income earners in their households
- 80.4% financially support dependants
“One report demonstrates the extraordinary leadership capabilities motherhood develops, while the other shows how many of these women are struggling within workplace systems that continue to undervalue their contributions,” says Jacobs.
The research also highlights the business risks associated with failing to recognise and retain female talent. According to the RecruitMyMom report, more than 40% of women whose on-site attendance requirements increased in the past year are actively seeking new employment opportunities. For Jacobs, the findings point to a broader leadership challenge rather than a women’s issue.
“Organisations are sitting on an incredible pool of leadership talent,” she says. “The question is whether they are prepared to recognise it. Businesses that continue to overlook working mothers are not simply making a diversity mistake; they are making a strategic and commercial one.”
The reports recommend that employers adopt more flexible workplace structures, create visible and attainable career pathways, support women returning from career breaks, and shift performance measurement from presence to outcomes.
“The data is clear,” Jacobs concludes. “Motherhood is not diminishing leadership capability; it is strengthening it. Companies that understand this will be better positioned to attract, retain, and develop some of their most capable future leaders.”
About Marilize Jacobs
Marilize Jacobs is a reputation strategist and entrepreneur, and the founder of VocalCord PR & Reputation Management (established in 2005) and Pigs Can Fly Interiors (established in 2008). She specialises in strategic communications, brand reputation, and business growth. For more information: www.marilizejacobs.com
