NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 01: Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates after defeating Coco Gauff of the United States during their Men’s Singles Fourth Round match on Day Nine of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 1, 2025 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
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The U.S. Open might be in the rear-view mirror, but more points were made for women than winning tennis matches. Another point is that many of the highest-performing women are moms. While people often assume that female athletes who are also mothers will have a split focus, Naomi Osaka is defying the odds and crediting her role as a mom to her success. After Osaka’s performance many are asking, “What points can working moms in other jobs, especially in corporate America, take from Osaka’s success?”
Working Moms Can Win In Both Motherhood And Careers
“It’s inspiring to see so many mothers with young children performing at such a high level in this year’s U.S. Open,” Annie Rosencrans, director of people and culture at HiBob, told me. “From Taylor Townsend to Naomi Osaka, players are not only bringing their children to the tournament but also crediting motherhood as a source of strength and motivation.”
Jennifer Dulski, CEO and founder of Rising Team told me how great it is to see professional athletes talking about how they navigate both work and family and that Osaka and Townsend are finding ways to create work-life balance. But Dulski prefers her own term that she coins the “work/life mashup,” where rather than try to perfectly “balance” work and family as separate, we realize that our lives are interconnected.
“Bringing their children to effectively ‘watch them work’ allows their kids to see them in action and learn how they approach their work,” Dulski says. “It also encourages other parents to do this, too. Even something as simple as parents doing work alongside their kids doing homework can be an example of the work/life mashup. I have sat at many a cafe working alongside my kids once they were in the age range to have homework.”
Unfortunately, in the corporate world, Rosencrans acknowledges that motherhood is not always seen as an advantage. She points out that women are often at a disadvantage, facing greater challenges in achieving work-life balance, lower overall satisfaction and more concerns about the future compared to men.
Rosencrans cites the findings from HiBob’s Women in the Workplace study, which shows that caregiving responsibilities and burnout disproportionately affect women, while men are more likely to express optimism. Yet, she and Dulski acknowledge that there are valuable lessons working parents can take from what Osaka, Townsend and others are modeling.
1. Don’t underestimate your juggling skills.
Dulski acknowledges that it takes a village. “Osaka notes how important it was for her to have support from her partner and others around her when she went back to work after her daughter was born,” she recalls. “It’s important to recognize this and also for working parents to both be ask for and offer help.”
Rosencrans points out that the HiBob Women in the Workplace study showed women often carry the brunt of the responsibilities at home. Although it’s easy to feel like you’re falling short in one area or another, she encourages women to give themselves grace. “The ability to manage many responsibilities simultaneously is a strength—and one that translates directly into professional success,” she asserts.
2. Be ruthless in your priorities.
“Being a working parent doesn’t mean sacrificing success at work or at home, but it does require discipline,” Rosencrans notes. “Setting boundaries and principles early—and revisiting them often—helps you stay grounded. Whether it’s carving out work-free family time, limiting business travel or committing to one after-school activity each month, clarity about your priorities keeps you in control.”
3. Create separation between work and home.
“Just as Osaka took time away to be fully present with her daughter, working parents benefit from drawing clear lines between the office and home life,” Rosencrans observes. “That might mean silencing emails during dinner, using a ‘phone box’ to keep devices out of sight or consciously resisting the urge to multitask when with your family. These moments of presence enrich both your home life and your work.”
4. Bring your full self to work.
Rosencrans stresses that transparency with colleagues about your life outside the office fosters authenticity and connection. She insists that it’s okay to say you’re stepping out for a daycare drop-off or soccer game, adding when leaders and employees alike normalize these moments, it creates a culture where personal lives are valued, not hidden.”
5. Share your journey with your kids.
“Townsend recently shared how, after a loss, her son encouraged her to keep going,” Rosencrans recalls. “Talking about your own successes and setbacks (in age-appropriate ways) can demystify your work for your children, help them feel connected to your world and even give you new perspectives. Their unconditional love can also provide comfort after tough days.”
“I love that Townsend shows her son that work has both good days and bad days,” Dulski says. “Modeling how she bounces back from a loss is so important to teach her son to be resilient to challenges too. And the fact that he’s already encouraging her in those moments shows he’s learning those lessons really early.”
Dulski admits that her kids have seen many up-and-down moments in her work life too, especially in startups. She reports that they are all able to be positive support for each other when life throws us curve balls (or slice shots)?
6. Remember you’re a role model.
Rosencrans argues that balancing work and motherhood shows your children the value of perseverance, independence and resilience. She cites a Harvard study that shows daughters of working mothers are more likely to hold leadership roles and earn higher salaries later in life. “The example you set today has a long-lasting impact,” she concludes.
Case Of One C-Suite Mother Out Of Many Working Moms
Kate Durand, founder and owner of YO BK, told me she became a stepmom shortly after YO BK’s second location opened in Greenpoint. She says she suddenly went from working around the clock to needing and wanting to spend time with family. She got smarter with scheduling and making sure her time at work was spent doing tasks that could not be delegated.
Now at four months postpartum, Durand has slashed her work hours in half and says she feels more effective than ever before. “Motherhood has sharpened my entrepreneurial focus, forced me into better time management, led me to hire an outstanding team and kept my focus on big, juicy long-term goals,” she proudly announces.
When she wakes up, she asks herself, “What’s the most important thing I need to do to move the business forward today?” Durand admits that it’s a balancing act for working moms. But she expresses gratitude for having lots of support, allowing her to hold on to who she was before children and helps her enjoy time with her sons all the more.
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