Mother's Equal Pay Day is May 5, and an analysis by the National Women's Law Center shows full-time, year-round working mothers earn $0.75 for every $1 earned by working fathers, representing an annual pay loss of more than $15,000. The disparity worsens for Latina working mothers at $0.46 and Black working mothers at $0.52.

Manufacturers are struggling to find employees to fill more than a half-million open skilled and entry-level jobs, and the skills gap could leave 2.1 million positions unfilled through the rest of this decade, affecting production, revenue and ultimately growth, according to a report by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute. "A robot can pick up a box and move it, but a person can be creative and get ahead of what's coming," says Carolyn Lee, executive director of The Manufacturing Institute.

To take the awkwardness out of meetings designed to hold team members accountable, use a five-step approach for a constructive conversation that will help all parties succeed, suggests business consultant Michael Canic. Among other things, clearly state the purpose of the meeting, be curious -- not judgmental -- and emphasize your own sense of responsibility for the situation, Canic writes.

Philips Chief HR Officer Daniela Seabrook says the COVID-19 pandemic has been an eye-opener for all employers concerned about the mental wellness of their teams. Before 2020, the health technology company offered piecemeal employee assistance programs and tools, but once the pandemic took hold it introduced worldwide benefits, including counseling, and is investigating broader employee health checks.

Women who have raised children have learned many traits of being a good leader, such as empathy, patience and mentorship skills, writes Joann Lublin, management news editor for the Wall Street Journal. Lublin offers four additional insights into how female executives can manage careers and parental duties, such as embracing a "work-life sway" that allows them flexibility on setting priorities and taking frequent breaks from technology that tethers them to the office.

Three cheers for Joann Lublin’s words, “Great moms often make great bosses,” in today’s HR Leader story.

So true. Some of the most effective female leaders I know are mothers and the skills they use to manage their families and homes come up big in the workplace.

SmartBrief Vice President of Content Megan Conniff is a master of diplomacy. Gail Hughes, SmartBrief's chief copy editor, is the picture of patience. And Zillah Byng-Thorne, CEO of Future PLC, our parent company, is a model of wisdom, authenticity and principle. All three women are mothers, and you see the evidence of their leadership in their children’s character.

What star mothers do you know in leadership roles? Let me know! And pass this link to anyone else you think would benefit from this brief.