Nelly Ale, Acting Director for Health Workforce Development at the Mastercard Foundation, has shared the joyful news of welcoming her baby boy, Daniel, while offering heartfelt reflections on the parallels between motherhood and leadership.
In a candid LinkedIn post that has resonated widely with professionals and parents alike, Ale announced, “I am happy to share that I started a new position… as a new mum!” Describing the experience as both humbling and transformative, she expressed gratitude for the gift of motherhood, calling baby Daniel “a wonderful gift from God.”
As she adjusts to life as a new mother, Ale shared five key leadership lessons drawn from her recent experiences:
1. Leadership Thrives on Teamwork
Ale spoke candidly about the challenges of recovery after a cesarean section, emphasizing the importance of support systems. She credited her husband, Dr. Boni Ale, her nannies, friends, and family for helping her navigate the demanding early weeks of motherhood.
“Each team member pulling their weight makes leadership easier and results possible,” she noted.
2. Ruthless Prioritization
Comparing motherhood’s constant demands to leadership pressures, Ale highlighted the value of focus.
“I have learned to triage — this protects my energy to focus on the most important things,” she wrote.
3. The Power of Presence and Purpose
Ale described the profound lessons of mindfulness learned while bonding with her newborn.
“Being present as a leader communicates respect for your team and helps you notice things that slide decks may not show,” she reflected.
4. Leadership is About Showing Up — Imperfectly
She underscored the importance of authenticity in leadership, saying that true leaders show up even amid fatigue, frustration, and pressure.
“Progress beats perfection,” Ale affirmed.
5. Leaders Are Whole People
In a powerful call to humanize leadership, Ale urged professionals to embrace their full identities beyond work titles.
“We must refute the notion that we tuck away our humanity into silence. Motherhood has taught me empathy and emotional intelligence no MBA class could,” she said.
Ale concluded her post by expressing gratitude and looking forward to resuming her professional duties soon.
“I look forward to returning back to work as we all work in concerted efforts to make life better for ourselves and our communities,” she wrote.
Her reflections have sparked thoughtful conversations online about balancing leadership, career, and personal growth — and the importance of embracing humanity at every stage of professional life.
