Motherhood, Ambition, and the Power of the Pie Chart: How to Talk to Your Boss About Career Seasons

How to Talk to Your Boss About Career Seasons

We’ve been exploring some big questions lately—like how to create boundaries without guilt, how to foster belonging in a workplace that’s rapidly evolving, and how leadership needs to shift as expectations around culture and connection change.

I had every intention of continuing down that path this week. I promised we'd dive into:

• What belonging looks like when DEI is no longer the container

• How generational shifts are redefining expectations of connection at work

• How leaders can show up authentically—even when they’re tired

And those pieces are still coming.

But sometimes, something lands in your lap that feels too timely, too honest, too necessary to put off.
So this post? This one’s for the working moms.

A Real Question from a Real Mom

Two weeks ago, I was speaking at the ISSA Hygieia Network Leadership Conference at the Kimberly-Clark Professional headquarters. During a panel discussion, we opened the floor for audience questions.

The room was filled with powerhouse women—many of them moms. One brave woman raised her hand and asked:

“How do I tell my leadership team that I’m not looking to take on more right now—not because I don’t care, but because I want to be present for my five-year-old and three-year-old? I’m still committed to my company and career, but this is my priority right now. I don’t want this to be misunderstood.”

It was such a raw, real moment. The kind of question that lingers long after the event ends.

The Pie Chart Analogy That Changed the Conversation

Marti Walsh, a brilliant leader and fellow panelist, gave a response that I haven’t stopped thinking about. She suggested thinking about our career focus as a pie chart.

The pie itself doesn’t grow.
But how you slice it changes depending on the season you’re in.

Sometimes, the biggest slice is dedicated to leadership development, stretch goals, and advancement.
Other times—especially when you're raising young children—a bigger slice might go to bedtime routines, school drop-offs, and family dinners. That doesn’t make you less ambitious. It just means your focus is shifting for now.

She also reminded us that lateral career moves can be incredibly strategic. They allow us to gain new experiences and perspectives without sacrificing the presence we want to have at home. Staying active in your career doesn’t always mean climbing—it can also mean expanding sideways.

What I Added: A Gentle Reminder About Time

I shared something that’s guided me personally:
Our time here is finite. Childhood is fleeting. And the tiny humans in our lives don’t stay tiny forever.

Choosing to be present with your children during these foundational years isn’t a detour from your career—it’s a deeply intentional step within it.

And if you're comfortable, being transparent about your thought process with others on your team—especially those who may be newer or considering starting families—can be powerful. It normalizes a reality so many of us live but rarely talk about out loud.

Final Thought:

This Is a Season, Not a Setback

Balancing motherhood and work isn’t about having it all at once. It’s about recognizing the season you’re in, honoring your priorities, and knowing there’s room to grow—when the time is right.

If you're navigating a moment like this, I hope this metaphor gives you language, confidence, and maybe even permission to speak your truth.

Your career doesn’t need to follow a linear path.
And choosing family right now? That doesn’t make you less committed.
It means you understand what matters most in this season of your life.

Want more reflections like this?
Subscribe to The Happiness Shift—my weekly newsletter on well-being, work, and the moments that matter.