The Power of Connection: How Moms Can Celebrate Milestones with Experiences and Elevate Leadership Impact

Life as a mom is a whirlwind. Between school schedules, extracurricular activities, work responsibilities, and the everyday logistics of managing a household, our calendars often feel like they’re bursting at the seams. It can be easy to slip into “survival mode,” just moving from one task to the next. In the middle of all that busyness, birthdays, milestones, or even small family moments can feel like one more event to plan or manage.

But when we shift our perspective, those moments become more than calendar entries. They can become intentional opportunities to connect, to strengthen relationships, and to create memories that last long after the event itself is over. This past weekend was a reminder of just that for me.

As a family, we went bowling, watched a movie together, cheered at a minor league baseball game, and shared a couple of meals around the table—with no technology allowed. No scrolling. No notifications. No divided attention. Just us, being present. And you know what? Those were the moments that filled my heart. They were simple, but powerful.

This is where motherhood and leadership meet. One of the core pillars of my Exponentially Elevate Your Leadership Impact framework is the power of connection. Leadership isn’t just about strategy, results, or checklists—it’s about people. And that truth doesn’t stop at the office door. It begins at home.

Why Experiences Matter More Than Things

There’s nothing wrong with gifts—kids love them, and I enjoy giving them. But when I look back over the years, I realize that what we all truly remember are the experiences.

Think about it. Do you remember the specific toys you received for your 8th birthday? Probably not. But you might remember a family trip, the laughter shared over cake and ice cream, or the feeling of being celebrated by the people who matter most. Experiences stick with us because they engage not only our minds, but also our hearts.

This weekend was full of those small-but-significant moments: my kids competing with each other in bowling and cheering each other on, the belly laughs during the movie, the energy of sitting together in the stands at the baseball game, and the joy of eating meals without the distraction of phones or screens.

These are the threads that weave together the story of a family. They’re the little anchors our kids will hold onto as they grow, the memories they’ll carry long after the details fade. And that’s exactly how leadership works too. It’s not about the “stuff” you provide—it’s about the experience you create for those you lead.

Birthdays and Milestones as Connection Points

Birthdays in particular are one of my favorite

opportunities to turn a milestone into a connection point. Over the years, I’ve shifted from trying to make birthdays Pinterest-perfect—with elaborate decorations and picture-perfect cakes—to focusing on creating experiences that celebrate who my kids are.

Sometimes that means a trip. Sometimes it’s a special dinner. Sometimes it’s a day dedicated to doing their favorite things. The magic isn’t in the production—it’s in the intention. It’s about saying: This day is about you. I see you. I value you.

And here’s the connection to leadership: our families and our teams don’t need perfection. They need presence. They don’t need us to orchestrate grand gestures or flawless events. They need us to notice, to celebrate, to connect. When we do that consistently, we create an environment—whether at home or at work—where people feel seen and valued. That’s where real trust is built.

Building Stronger Relationships Through Shared Experiences

Every milestone—whether it’s a child’s birthday, a family outing, or a professional achievement at work—is a chance to strengthen relationships. When we step away from distractions and show up fully, we’re sending a powerful message: You matter more than my to-do list. You matter more than my notifications. You matter more than the busyness of life.

At home, these moments become family traditions. They create inside jokes, spark conversations, and strengthen bonds. They weave the fabric of our family story.

At work, the same principle applies. When we pause to celebrate milestones with our teams, we’re doing more than acknowledging achievements—we’re building culture. We’re creating connection. We’re reinforcing loyalty and trust.

That’s why the power of connection is central to the Exponentially Elevate Your Leadership Impact framework. When you lean into connection, you multiply influence. And it doesn’t just happen in boardrooms or classrooms—it happens around the dinner table, at the bowling alley, and in the stands at a baseball game.

Lessons from a Weekend of Connection

This past weekend was a personal reminder for me of how simple moments can become powerful connectors. Here are three leadership lessons I took away:

• Presence Over Perfection.
  The meals weren’t fancy. The activities weren’t elaborate. But the presence mattered. We were fully there, and that was enough. In leadership, your people don’t need you to be perfect—they need you to be present.

• Small Experiences Create Big Impact.
  Bowling, a movie, a baseball game—none of these are once-in-a-lifetime events. But strung together with intention, they created a weekend we’ll all remember. Leadership works the same way. Small moments of encouragement, gratitude, or recognition can create lasting impact.

• Unplug to Reconnect.
  Putting away technology at the dinner table was a game-changer. It created space for conversation, laughter, and true connection. As leaders, we need to model the discipline of unplugging so we can fully connect with those around us.

A Gentle Reminder for Moms and Leaders

Celebrating milestones with experiences doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money or plan something extravagant. The power is in the intention. It’s about creating space for connection.

Bowling shoes. Popcorn at the movies. Cheering for the home team. Sitting at the table without phones. These aren’t extravagant activities, but they are transformational when approached with presence and purpose.

As moms, we set the tone for our families. As leaders, we set the tone for our teams. When we choose connection over busyness, presence over distraction, and experiences over things, we’re modeling authentic leadership. We’re showing the people around us that relationships are what truly matter.

And here’s the beauty: when you practice connection at home, you strengthen the leadership muscles that allow you to elevate your impact at work. When you celebrate milestones with experiences, you’re not only creating memories—you’re reinforcing the kind of leader you want to be.

✨ Reflection Prompt for Moms and Leaders:
Where in your life—at home or at work—can you create an “unplugged moment” this week to remind the people around you that they matter?

Because when you strengthen connection at home, you strengthen your ability to Exponentially Elevate Your Leadership Impact everywhere else.

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