Is Your Business Missing Out on Powerful “Brain Drain” Resources?

I am part of corporate America’s “brain drain” – skilled, professional women who opt to stay home to care for children, but then face the daunting task of on-ramping, or re-entering the workforce. But let’s be clear: these brains haven’t gone DOWN the drain. They’ve just been temporarily redirected to a new set of mind-bending challenges.

One thing I’ve learned in my own on-ramp journey is that it doesn’t matter if your “most recent position” was right there in your own home. There is a thread running through all human relationships — whether you’re negotiating with your toddler or negotiating a hostile takeover — a thread that connects our life’s experiences, through all phases of life.

In other words, in your time as a stay-at-home-mom you may think you’ll LOSE your mind on any given day. But believe me, you are still USING it.

Here’s a post I wrote for my personal blog along these lines. Enjoy.

“What Can You Learn About Life (And Business) From Two Tiny Yoginis?”

You know those rare periods — in your household, your work, your life — where things somehow hum along smoothly, defying all your expectations? We occasionally experience this kind of harmony at our house… very occasionally. Take a look:

"Double Down Dog"

Last week, my mother-in-law sent my girls a really cute set of kid yoga cards (Barefoot Books’ Yoga Pretzels), where the poses (many of them for partners) are illustrated and give some basic information. While I tippety-tapped on the computer, the little buggers ripped right into them and got down to business.

They were like little circus performers — the big one would read the card, and issue instructions to the small one. The small one would speedily and happily comply, doing exactly as she was told. Then they’d break the pose and scurry back to find another one to try, over and over. I’ve never seen them so focused on something together — and I was shocked at their capacity to study, understand and replicate each pose. (I think plenty of adults would have trouble with this!)

No, I don’t think they’re on their way to yoga fame, or to full-time ashram living. But as I look back on that afternoon, I recognize that I could learn a few things from my tiny yoginis:

• When good leaders know how to motivate those they lead, they can accomplish great things. The big one knew that to get her little sister’s cooperation, it had to be fun. She used her best big-sister voice, coaxing and coaching her along, and gave her her full attention. And when they triumphed, they celebrated together — dancing, hugging, giggling.
• Embracing your place in the world — rather than railing against it — creates harmony. The little one knew full well she couldn’t be the leader in this game. In fact, she’s pretty used to accepting the big one’s authority on nearly everything. Their sister hierarchy will surely change as they get older and develop their own interests, but for a few moments there, everything was clicking.
• Learning can happen in the unlikeliest of places. Whether it’s kids learning about the world by stretching on a yoga mat, or mommies learning, stretching and growing in cyberspace — it pays to stay open and ready.

You never know where your newly acquired knowledge might take you.