Industry & Consulting: What I Learned as a Mom in Both Worlds

We talk a lot about “finding balance” as a working mom. We compare industries, job types, companies, and roles — trying to figure out what the mythical optimal path looks like. But the truth is far more personal, and often far more surprising.That’s why this episode is such an important one.In my latest episode of The Consulting Leadership Mom's Table, Michelle Drew Rodriguez (former Partner at Roland Berger, current Board Chair of IMEC) shares how she navigated her motherhood journey across both industry and consulting — and what she learned from each chapter.What makes her story particularly valuable: she's lived it all. A “double boomerang” – she has spent nearly half her career in industry and half in consulting, having a child in each. She’s been a single mom traveling with drop-in daycare. Blended family with two solid careers. Having kids 10 years apart, sharing how dual-career norms have evolved over the years. Her journey spans engineering to consulting to C-suite and ultimately to the boardroom.Her advice to her younger self?Trust yourself.Stop creating self-doubt about how motherhood will be perceived.Decide what YOU want, then structure everything around that instead of letting your career and life happen to you.Her advice to women in the thick of it right now?Reflect deeply.  Get clarity within.   Give yourself grace.This conversation will challenge some assumptions about what makes working motherhood "easier." It might also give you permission to make moves you've been hesitating on.Her advice? Stop waiting for permission. Decide what YOU want, then structure your life and career around that instead of letting things happen to you. Trust yourself instead of creating self-doubt about how motherhood will be perceived. And when things go sideways (because they will), give yourself grace.Michelle's strategy for staying healthy while being pulled in multiple directions? Treat your priorities like client meetings. Block out workout time, your kid's 3 p.m. game, nursing breaks. Box out non-travel days when your partner is traveling. Develop a mini project plan for your family schedule the same way you would for client work.This episode will challenge your assumptions about where working motherhood is "easier." It might also give you permission to stop chasing the mythical perfect setup and start building the one that actually works for you.Key Takeaways:Creative childcare strategies that made consulting travel workable as a single momHow dual-career partnerships evolved over 10 yearsTreating personal priorities like client meetings to protect what mattersThe power of year-end reflection with your partner to strategically plan support systemsWhy agility and resiliency matter more than finding the "right" pathNeed help navigating your career as a mom in consulting? Email me at [email protected] to start a discussion.