Our Hidden Superpower In The Workplace: Motherhood

Some fear motherhood diminishes work performance – but two new moms in advertising are kicking ass and proving otherwise.

“Will I be able to take good care of my children and succeed at my job?” This question has undoubtedly crossed many parents’ minds as they navigate two worlds: Parenting and career growth. The fear that parenthood might undermine professionalism or dedication is all too common. It definitely did for the two of us: Duong Le, first-time mom (and Art Director) just returning to work, and Maddy Giordano, mom of one & four-year-olds (and Director of Integrated Content).

But, the same qualities that make us great moms — empathy, patience, resilience, adaptability, problem solving, prioritization, long term planning, and boundary-pushing creativity — have proven to make us stronger and more effective in our jobs. At DNA, we embrace these same values through our core principles of WAGIC (Winning, Accountability, Grit, Inclusivity, and Creativity), which perfectly align with the skills we mothers continue developing every day.

Winning: Focus on the day’s goal (Duong)
One of the best pieces of advice I got when I was struggling with my newborn was, “just focus on getting through today.” I quickly learned that I can’t control everything — like how many times they decide to wake up in the middle of the night or when suddenly she doesn’t like her pacifier anymore. That’s when I get really good at prioritizing: breaking things down into tiny, manageable goals–I figure out what success looks like for that day and do my best to reach it. Winning isn’t about being perfect — it’s about making progress, one tiny win at a time.

Accountability: Strategic Prioritization & Time Management (Maddy)
Mothers are often viewed as distracted and less committed. The reality: we develop strong time management skills to strategically prioritize our resources, because, between family and work, there’s never enough of either. Mothers are often stereotyped as innately-good multitaskers and become the “default” accountability holders (hello, invisible mental load of motherhood). Whether or not this is fair (spoiler: it’s not), these qualities do sharpen our ability to own outcomes, even when the variables are unpredictable. After all, keeping small humans alive and making sure they grow up to be decent people is the ultimate test of accountability.

Grit: Resilience & Passion (Maddy)
Neither of my kids sleep through the night or in their own beds. They don’t care about work deadlines, getting places on time, if I only get four hours sleep, personal space, or why they can’t have cotton candy for breakfast. In motherhood, grit isn’t about just sheer determination; it’s about the ability to nurture, to empathize, to lead with compassion. It’s about finding the resolve to keep going through sleepless nights, messy failures, tantrums and moments of doubt, while maintaining focus on long-term goals like raising kind, capable adults. Grit is something we as mothers have in spades and it’s fueled by an unrelenting belief in the value of the work and the people it serves.

Inclusivity: The Power of Listening (Duong)
Motherhood, especially with a 5-month-old and a husband who both have very strong opinions, has taught me the true power of listening—really listening. Mia can’t talk yet, but she communicates plenty through her cries and facial expressions (did you know “Neh” means hunger, and a blank stare often means she’s sleepy?). And let’s not forget the debates with my husband about baby care (trust me, the sleep training discussions can be very heated). These experiences have taught me to pick up on subtle cues and become more attuned to the diverse perspectives within my team, understanding that true inclusivity isn’t just about hearing words—it’s about listening closely, being open, and valuing everyone’s unique experiences.

Creativity: Play & Storytelling (Duong)
Having a kid means you get to be a kid again, stretching your imagination and looking at the world with those wide, curious eyes. In a beloved book, The Creative Act, Rick Rubin says, “As artists, we seek to restore our childlike perception: a more innocent state of wonder and appreciation not tethered to utility or survival.” And honestly, that’s exactly what parenting feels like—rediscovering the magic of the mundane: taking a walk in nature, making up stories about the trees and animals, singing made-up songs, or using leaves to create a painting or a braided crown. In childcare, this term is called Creative Play—when kids use familiar materials in new, imaginative ways. In advertising, it’s called storytelling. Motherhood has made me more creative in ways I never expected.

Working moms are one of the most underrated resources in our workforce. They don’t just juggle; they master the art of balance, often transforming what might seem like obstacles into powerful opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally. So to all the working moms out there: You are doing incredible things, often behind the scenes, and your contributions don’t go unnoticed. You are leading with empathy, managing with grit, and thinking creatively in ways that inspire those around you. So, keep pushing boundaries and showing up with your whole self—because the world is better for it, and so is the workplace. Be proud of the dedication you bring to both your “mom job” and your career, because in doing so, you’re showing your daughters that they don’t have to choose between the two.