When Serena Williams quit, my heart broke a little.
As a mother, I understood.
As a working mother, I resonated.
As a leader, I understood but found it discouraging.
Serena Williams is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, and her success on the court has inspired many women and girls around the world. However, her decision to quit her job last year has raised questions and concerns about the challenges that working mothers face, and has potentially demotivated some women who may have looked up to her as a role model.
Many working mothers may feel that if a powerful and successful woman like Serena Williams struggles to balance her work and family responsibilities, then it is even more difficult for them to do so. This can lead to a sense of discouragement and a lack of motivation to continue pursuing their careers and goals.
Additionally, another reason my heart broke a little, is that the decision of a high-profile and successful woman like Serena Williams to quit her job may reinforce societal expectations and stereotypes about women and their abilities, and may make other women feel that they are not capable of achieving success in their careers while also balancing their family responsibilities. This is especially harder to accept because Serena has a supportive partner and husband in Alexis Ohanian, a renowned tech investor and co-founder of Reddit.
However, what gave me a bit of hope is that Serena will now focus her time on her investment fund, Serena Ventures, and helping other women and under-represented folks get the funding that can help accelerate their careers and companies.
I wonder, when will the society’s expectations, stereotypes, ideologies will change so leaders who are trying to manage work-life balance or integration successfully don’t have to carry the additional emotional labour of explaining or fighting for why they belong in leadership especially as working parents – especially mothers.
